How To Keep A Clean Chicken Coop:

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This post is all about how to keep a clean chicken coop.

how to keep a clean chicken coop

How To Keep A Clean Chicken Coop

Keeping a clean chicken coop is about more than just making your backyard look nice—it’s essential for the health and well-being of your chickens. A dirty chicken coop can lead to bad odors, pest problems, and even serious illnesses for your flock. But don’t worry—maintaining a clean and sanitary coop doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Creating a self-sufficient chicken coop is within your grasp. With good chicken coop cleaning hacks & tips, you can create a low-maintenance routine that keeps your chickens comfortable and your chores very manageable. In this guide, we’ll cover the best cleaning methods, must-have supplies, and common mistakes to avoid, so you can keep your flock’s home fresh and healthy all year long. Let’s get started!

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Best Bedding For Your Coop

The first step in keeping your chicken coop clean is picking good bedding for your coop! There are several options when it comes to chicken coop bedding including (but not limited to) pine shavings, hemp bedding, straw and sand. Many chicken keepers will agree that sand is by far the best bedding for your chicken coop!

Excellent Drainage & Moisture Control
Sand dries quickly and doesn’t retain moisture like straw or shavings which helps prevent mold, mildew, and ammonia buildup from chicken droppings.

Odor Control
Since sand allows for better airflow and dries out droppings faster, it helps reduce strong odors in the coop.

Easy to Clean
Sand works like kitty litter—you can scoop out waste daily with a rake or sifter, keeping the coop cleaner with minimal effort.

Reduces Pest Issues
Unlike straw or hay, which can harbor mites and other pests, sand doesn’t provide a good breeding ground for parasites.

Long-Lasting & Cost-Effective
Unlike shavings that need to be replaced frequently, sand can last for years with regular cleaning, making it a very budget-friendly bedding option.

Natural Dust Bathing Area
Chickens love to dust bathe, and sand provides a built-in area for them to keep their feathers clean and free of parasites.

Supports Healthy Foot and Leg Health
Because sand provides a stable and soft surface, it helps reduce the risk of foot injuries, bumblefoot, and leg strain.

What You Need To Keep Your Chicken Coop Clean

Chicken Coop Scooper Shovel

Every chicken keeper needs a chicken coop shovel, no matter what type of bedding you use. If using sand, be sure it’s a shovel designed so you can simply sift through the sand and discard the droppings. (This is a big benefit of using sand for your chicken coop bedding…easy cleaning!)

This Chicken Coop Scooper was designed specifically for chicken coops, making it especially ideal for cleaning your coop. It sifts through the bedding perfectly, and doubles as a rake. The large shovel size helps get the job done quickly, while still remaining light-weight. This comes highly recommended by many backyard chicken keepers.

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Coop Refresher

Coop Refresher is a great thing to keep on hand for maintaining a clean chicken coop, and minimizing odors in your coop. It’s also beneficial for your flock’s respiratory health. You need to be careful of which brand you use though because some contain harmful perfumes, additives and chemicals that can actually be harmful for your flock. This PDZ Coop Refresher is a top choice among poultry enthusiasts.

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First Saturday Lime

Part of keeping a clean chicken coop is keeping your coop pest-free. First Saturday Lime is a must-have in your chicken coop supply bin. Not only does it help control odor in your coop, but it helps keep it free of ants, mites, ticks, and cockroaches. It’s a simple monthly treatment. Just sprinkle in and around your coop and run. It’s also perfect for sprinkling in nest boxes and even dust baths.

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Scraper

You’ll also need a simple scraper tool for keeping your coop clean. This will be used for scraping dropping from roosting bars and other areas of your coop.

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Nesting Pads

Chickens need a clean, comfortable space to lay their eggs, and these nesting pads make it effortless to maintain a fresh nesting area. Designed for easy swapping, they ensure your hens always have a hygienic and cozy spot to lay, helping you collect cleaner, healthier eggs with less hassle.

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Premo Poultry Spray

Premo Poultry Spray is a good thing to have on hand for your chicken coop chores as well. It’s a very effective treatment, and preventative measure for mites, fleas, ticks and lice. You can spray this directly on your birds, as well as in the nesting boxes, roosting bars and around the coop.

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Simple Chicken Coop Cleaning Routine

Having a solid chicken coop cleaning schedule is essential for maintaining a healthy, pest-free environment for your flock. Regular cleaning helps prevent odor buildup, bacterial growth, and infestations, ensuring your chickens stay happy and productive. By sticking to a consistent routine, you’ll create a cleaner, safer space that reduces the risk of disease and makes daily chicken care much easier!

Daily Chicken Coop Cleaning Chores

  • Check and refill waterers
  • Check and refill feeders
  • Scrap droppings from roosting bars as needed
  • Scoop up any spilled feed or treats (this helps keep rodents away) – See: 7 Best Feeders To Minimize Waste
  • Replace any dirty nesting pads as needed
  • Collect eggs!

Weekly Chicken Coop Cleaning Chores

  • Use your coop shovel to scoop up any droppings around the coop and run (keep a galvanized trash bin in or by your coop for convenience)
  • If not using sand bedding, add new bedding as needed to heavily soiled areas

Monthly Chicken Coop Cleaning Chores

  • Sprinkle First Saturday Lime in and around your coop and run, including in nesting boxes and dust baths
  • Replace all nesting pads
  • Remove cobwebs and dust from ceilings and walls (a long handled broom makes this task a breeze)
  • Use your scraper tool to remove any caked up dirt or dropped from doorways (this ensures your coop doors are shutting securely at night)

Bi-Annual Chicken Coop Cleaning Chores

Deep clean time! (Recommended to wear gloves and mask during this cleaning)

  • Remove everything from coop and scrub them down (feeders, waters, toys, etc.)
  • Use your scraper tool to scrap down walls, perches, roosting bars, and any other surface with droppings
  • Scrub/Wipe down all surfaces with a DIY cleaning solution of equal parts vinegar and water
  • If not using sand bedding, remove and replace all bedding
  • If using sand bedding, just be sure to give it a coop scooping and get all of the droppings out. Add additional sand if needed

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