A chicken coop can get dirty very quickly, especially if it has a dirty floor. Dirty floors are absorbent and will hold onto chicken manure, feathers, and food scraps. This can create an unsanitary environment for your chickens and attract vermin such as rats and mice. A dirty chicken coop can also lead to disease.
If you don’t stay on top of the cleaning, your chicken coop can become overrun with dirt, dust, and other unwanted guests. Let’s look at how to clean a chicken coop with a dirt floor quickly and effectively.
Cleaning a Chicken Coop with a Dirty Floor
Step 1: Remove the chickens from the coop. It is important to do this before you start cleaning so that the chickens are not exposed to any harmful chemicals or cleaners. You can put them in a temporary pen or in another area of the yard.
Step 2: Shovel out all of the manure, feathers, and food scraps. If possible, do this outside of the coop so that you don’t have to bring the dirt back inside. Make sure you bag up any waste and dispose of it properly.
Step 3: Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove any remaining dirt and dust. You may also want to use a damp mop if there is a lot of debris on the floor.
Step 4: Apply a wet cleaning solution to the floor, such as soap or vinegar diluted with water. Let it soak in for a few minutes, then rinse the floor with clean water.
Step 5: Hose down the coop with water. This will help to loosen any dirt or debris that is stuck to the floor or sides of the coop.
Step 6: Scrub the coop with a stiff brush and soapy water. Pay special attention to any areas that seem particularly dirty.
Step 7: Dry the floor completely by sweeping or vacuuming one final time. If you want to sanitize the coop, you can use an antibacterial cleaner as well. Let the coop air dry completely before putting the chickens back inside.
With regular cleaning, you can keep your coop sanitary and healthy for your chickens, while reducing the risk of disease or vermin infestation.
How do you keep a chicken coop floor clean?
There are many different ways that you can keep your chicken coop floor clean with minimal effort.
Some methods include using a deep litter method, using an automatic chicken coop door, or using a poop board.
Let’s look in more detail at some of the best ways to keep your chicken coop floor clean.
1. Use a deep litter method
The deep litter method is a way of using chicken droppings and bedding material to create compost. This compost can then be used in your garden or around your yard. To use the deep litter method, simply add a layer of bedding material (such as straw, leaves, or wood shavings) to the bottom of the coop. This helps to absorb moisture and waste from the chickens, keeping their environment sanitary and reducing odors.
Next, add a layer of chicken droppings. Continue to alternate layers of bedding material and chicken droppings until the coop is full. Once the coop is full, let it sit for 6-8 weeks so the compost can form. After 6-8 weeks, you can remove the compost from the coop and use it in your garden or around your yard.
2. Use an automatic chicken coop door
An automatic chicken coop door is a great way to keep your coop clean and dry. It prevents them from tracking dirt and waste into their living space. Chicken doors open and close automatically based on a timer, so you don’t have to worry about letting the chickens out in the morning or locking them up at night. Automatic doors also help to keep predators out and help regulate the temperature in the coop.
3. Use a poop board
A poop board is basically a board that you place underneath the roosting bars in your chicken coop. The purpose of a poop board is to catch all of the chicken droppings before they hit the ground. This makes cleaning up much easier and keeps the floor of the coop much cleaner overall. All you have to do is remove the poop board once it’s full and dispose of it properly (compost it or throw it in the trash).
4. Line the floor with sand
Sand makes an excellent floor liner for chicken coops because it doesn’t retain moisture like other materials (such as straw) do. This means that your floor will be less likely to attract bugs and other pests. Moreover, sand is easy to clean and disinfect because it doesn’t hold onto dirt and grime as other materials do. Simply sweep up any messes with a broom and dispose of them properly (compost them or throw them in the trash). You can also disinfect the sand with vinegar or bleach if necessary.
5. Keep food and water off the floor
It’s important to keep food and water off of the floor because otherwise, they will attract bugs and other pests (which can then lead to disease). The best way to do this is by using elevated feeders and waterers. This way, food, and water will be out of reach of bugs and other pests, but still within reach of your chickens.
6. [Bonus tip] Use diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is a powder made from fossilized algae. It’s safe for animals and humans but deadly for pests like beetles, fleas, mites, ticks, and lice. Simply sprinkle some diatomaceous earth around your chicken coop to keep these pesky pests away.
Conclusion
Cleaning a chicken coop can be a challenging task, but it is important to keep your chickens healthy and happy. By power washing the floor and scrubbing all of the surfaces in the coop, you can easily remove any dirt or grime that has built up over time. Be sure to disinfect the coop after cleaning to kill any bacteria that may be present.
It is important to perform regular cleanings to prevent build-up and maintain a healthy environment for your chickens.
