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Spring has officially sprung, which means that along with all of the other spring cleaning chores, it’s time for some spring chicken coop maintenance. We typically give our coop a little sprucing up once a month through the summer. But as winter approaches, we switch to the deep litter method. With deep litter, new bedding is simply placed on top of the old bedding, creating extra heat in the coop from the composting process that takes place in the bedding below the birds. With this method, old bedding is not removed until the spring thaw arrives. Since we are finally all thawed out, it’s time to get that coop freshened up, and we’re going to share our best tips and tricks for the job with you today.
Why Is Spring Chicken Coop Maintenance So Important?
Aside from the obvious reasons of general cleanliness and smell, disease prevention is the most important reason. A clean coop reduces diseases like Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can infect humans. Additionally, your flock's health depends on a clean coop, which keeps their immune and respiratory systems healthy, making them less susceptible to infection.
Gather Your Supplies
Before you can clean your coop, you’ll need to gather all the necessary supplies. Below is an example of some things you may need, but depending on your specific coop setup, you may also need other/different items.
Supplies Needed:
Face mask
Rubber Gloves
A Rake and/or Shovel
A Broom and/or a Stiff Bristled Brush
A Paint Scraper or old metal spatula
Mop and Bucket
Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth or First Saturday Lime (not an affiliate link, just what we use)
Fresh Clean New Bedding of Choice
Nesting Box Liners
White Vinegar or Orange Cinnamon Chicken Coop Cleaner
How to Deep Clean Your Chicken Coop
Before you get started, be sure to pick a nice sunny day. This will help keep your girls out of the coop and allow the coop to dry faster after cleaning. The other consideration is timing. Be sure to start early in the day so washed surfaces can dry completely before replacing bedding so that you don’t encourage mold growth.
Dress the Part
Before you start on your chicken coop, be sure to suit up. Don’t forget your gloves, and remember to use a respirator or face mask. Poultry dust and feces both contain contaminants you don’t want to breathe in.
Remove Bedding and Droppings
To begin spring cleaning your chicken coop, the first thing you’ll need to do, especially if you use the deep bedding method, is to remove all the old bedding. If you’re a gardener, grab a wheelbarrow. This bedding that has been composting all winter is perfect for your garden beds.
Pull out Roost Bars and Nesting Boxes
Basically, anything in the coop that isn’t nailed down needs to come out to be cleaned. This may include nest boxes, roost bars, and extra feeders. Remove these items and give them a good once-over with a stiff bristle brush to remove any built-up droppings. If possible, you may want to hose or scrub these items down as well.
Sweep or Dry Brush Coop Walls and Ceiling
Now that the coop is empty use a broom to sweep down the walls, rafters, and ceiling. You want to remove all that poultry dust and any cobwebs that may have built up over the season. Leaving these behind can be taxing on your flock's respiratory health and a potential fire hazard. Once you have cleaned surfaces, spray the entire interior of the coop with white vinegar or Orange Cinnamon Coop Cleaner and wipe them clean. Allow the coop to dry while moving on to the nesting boxes.
Clean and Sanitize Your Nesting Boxes
Remove all built-up droppings from the nesting boxes using your broom and/or stiff bristle brush. Once they are debris-free, spritz them with white vinegar or Orange Cinnamon Coop Cleaner and wipe them clean. Be sure to allow them to dry completely before adding fresh nesting box liners.
Send Creepy Crawlies Packing
We do this next step every month whether we have cleaned the coop or not. Once the coop is dry, sprinkle the whole thing down with First Saturday Lime or food-grade Diatomaceous Earth. This will help to keep all the mites and any other creepy crawly things at bay.
Wash Food and Water Containers
Now is the time to empty your food and water dishes and scrub them well. Once clean, I typically spray these items down with either white vinegar or the Orange Cinnamon Coop Cleaner and let them dry completely before refilling.
Repairs and Renovations
While you’re in the coop and have everything taken apart already, now is the time to give everything a once-over to see if any places need repairs. Even the best-built coops will require some upkeep after a few seasons. From leaky roof spots to loose roost bars, make sure everything is in good repair before the busy summer season starts.
Add Fresh Bedding in the Coop
Finally, it’s time for the big finish. Now that your coop is fresh, clean, and in good repair, it’s time for bedding. We use straw all season long in our coop, but coop bedding is as varied as chicken keepers. You can use anything from coffee grounds or hemp to pine shavings or straw. Do your research to determine what the best bedding is for your flock.
Wishing You And Your Flock a Happy Spring
All of these steps may seem like a lot, but in reality, it will typically only take an hour or two, and your flock will thank you with good health and fresh eggs. From our homestead to yours, we wish you a happy spring season! Until next time,
