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1-844-WILDOAK - Call or Chat: Mon to Fri 10am-5pm CST
by Saxon Funk June 04, 2024 5 min read
Keeping your OverEZ Chicken Coop clean is crucial for the health and happiness of your backyard chickens. Keeping your coop clean ensures a thriving environment for your flock, leading to healthier chickens and a more productive laying cycle.
Start with a routine schedule for cleaning your coop. A clean coop helps prevent diseases, controls pests, and keeps your hens stress-free. Incorporate the cleaning essentials into your regular chicken supplies shopping list. This includes bedding material, disinfectants, and tools like a coop-specific broom and dustpan.
Daily Checks: Remove soiled bedding and droppings from nesting boxes and the main coop area. Ensure the water and food containers are clean and free of waste to prevent contamination and the spread of disease.
Weekly Clean: Once a week, change out the bedding material in the coop. Straw or sand work well as bedding materials due to their absorbent properties and ease of cleaning. Use a coop rake or shovel to remove the old bedding, and add a fresh layer.
Quarterly Deep Clean:
Empty the Coop: Start by removing everything from the coop – chickens included, to a secure, temporary location.
Scrub Surfaces: Mix a chicken-safe disinfectant with water and thoroughly wash all surfaces of the coop, including walls, floors, and nesting boxes. A pressure washer can be effective for this, but a good scrub brush and some elbow grease work just as well.
Inspect and Repair: Look for any damage or potential security risks in the coop structure. Make repairs as necessary to keep predators out and your chickens safe.
Disinfect: After washing, apply a disinfectant safe for chickens. Ensure the coop is completely dry before replacing bedding and allowing your chickens back in.
Seasonal Considerations: Adjust your cleaning routine to accommodate for hot or cold weather. In summer, ensure ample ventilation and consider adding more frequent dust baths with sand in shaded areas. In winter, reinforce the coop’s insulation and check for drafts.
Bedding: Choose from pine shavings, straw, or sand for your coop floor and nesting boxes. Each has its benefits, such as moisture control and ease of cleaning.
Disinfectants: Use a chicken-safe disinfectant for monthly deep cleans. Vinegar and water can be a natural alternative.
Tools: Invest in coop-specific cleaning tools like a dustpan, broom, and a coop rake or shovel.
Protection for You: Don’t forget about your own safety. Wear gloves and a mask, especially during deep cleans, to avoid inhaling dust or pathogens.
Picking out the right bedding for your chicken coop is more than just a chore; it's a crucial step in creating a welcoming home for your feathered friends. Proper bedding impacts everything from moisture control and temperature regulation to pest management and playtime. So, let's dive in and explore some fantastic bedding options to keep your coop comfortable and your chickens clucking with joy!
When choosing bedding, consider these vital aspects:
Moisture and Odor Management
Preventing Bacteria and Fungal Issues
Insulation for Seasonal Comfort
Deterring Rodents and Bugs
Encouraging Natural Behaviors like Dust Baths
Maintaining a Clean and Healthy Space
Ease of Cleaning and Upkeep
Armed with this knowledge and your trusty reading glasses, get ready to find the perfect bedding solution that marries functionality with your chickens' health and happiness.
Sand stands out for its exceptional moisture-wicking properties, significantly reducing the chance of bacteria and fungus. It keeps the coop smelling fresh and is naturally inhospitable to pests due to its dryness.
Pros:
Excellent for moisture and temperature regulation
Beneficial for chickens' digestive health
Keeps pests at bay
Ideal in both cold and damp conditions
Cons:
The heaviness makes clean-up challenging
Potential health risks if chickens ingest contaminated sand
Not suitable for composting
Tip: Opt for natural sand to avoid the pitfalls of manufactured alternatives.
Straw is widely favored for its accessibility, especially on traditional farms. It's lightweight, making it easier to change than sand, and provides a cozy layer of insulation.
Pros:
Readily available and convenient
Excellent insulation properties
Chickens love to play and nest in it
Cons:
Potential risk of crop impaction
Lower absorbency could invite pests and mold
Requires frequent replacement to prevent odor and toxin buildup
Advice: Go for chopped straw to reduce health risks and ease maintenance.
Pine shavings offer a middle ground with moderate absorbency and decent insulation, plus they contribute to a visually appealing and fresh-smelling coop.
Pros:
Good moisture absorption and odor control
Budget-friendly and compostable
Lightweight and pleasant in appearance
Cons:
Possible respiratory issues from dust
Concerns about toxicity in young chicks
Note: Steer clear of cedar shavings and opt for dust-extracted pine shavings to safeguard your flock's health.
In a pinch, shredded paper can serve as a temporary bedding solution, easily mixed with other materials for added bulk.
Pros:
Cost-effective and readily available
Can be a sustainable choice if composted
Cons:
Potential toxicity from ink
Quickly becomes soggy and hard to manage
Utilizing organic matter such as grass clippings, leaves, or garden waste introduces a natural element into your coop, encouraging foraging and play.
Pros:
Free and fully compostable
Encourages natural chicken behavior
Cons:
Can retain moisture, leading to mold
Rapid decomposition requires frequent replacement
Caution: Avoid using oak leaves excessively due to their tannin content.
Choosing the right bedding involves balancing moisture control, insulation, health benefits, and practicality. Whether you lean towards the hygiene of sand, the lightness of straw, the cozy insulation of pine shavings, the convenience of shredded paper, or the natural appeal of organic matter, the key is finding what works best for your coop and your chickens. Remember, a clean, comfortable environment is paramount for your flock's health and happiness.
Cleaning your OverEZ Chicken Coop doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With regular maintenance, the right supplies, and a bit of time, you can ensure a clean, comfortable home for your chickens. Not only does this promote their health and happiness, but it also contributes to a more enjoyable and rewarding backyard chicken experience. Keep your coop clean, your chickens happy, and enjoy the bounty of fresh eggs and the joys of chicken keeping all year round.
Have any Questions or would like to place an order? We'd love to help! Chat with our friendly customer service team by calling 1-844-945-3625, chatting in on our website or email us at customersupport@wildoaktrail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Saxon Funk, co-founder and driving force behind Wild Oak Trail, embodies the spirit of self-sufficiency and preparedness. Launching the venture over six years ago with his wife, Hailey, Saxon has steeped himself in mastering solar generators, heating solutions, food storage, and off-grid living essentials, becoming a veritable guru in the field. His expertise is more than theoretical; it's practical, as evidenced by his own home, equipped with the very products Wild Oak Trail proudly offers. Saxon's passion extends beyond commerce; he thrives on the assurance of providing for his family in any circumstance, fervently believing in empowering others to do the same through the quality resources and knowledge he shares through his business.
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