Cleaning the coop

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KathrynB

KathrynB

Songster
10 Years
Mar 14, 2010
106
11
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I have 6 chicks who are still inside in a brooder. My husband is building a coop with run for them and i was going to paint the inside for easy cleaning and going to use the deep litter method. What kind of coop cleaners do you guys us?. i live in indiana is the deep litter method the right way to go? Thanks for the advice!!
 
I don't use the DLM myself so can't comment. I just clean out poop daily and give the coop a good clean once a week with a mild dish soap (small amount) & just wipe over with vinegar. Brings it up a treat. I'm really new to all this so I'm always looking at the forums for help & advice. I do think it makes a difference how many chickens you have and whether they are free range or not - that has to be a consideration! Good luck
 
I use the deep litter method in my coop. I change out the litter twice a year. I use an old coal shovel to clean out the coop. After shoveling everything out, I get the small stuff with a broom. Also use the broom for cobweb cleaning. That's all I use for coop cleaning.
Jack
 
I don't use a coop cleaner. I'm not sure if you're talking about cleaning the walls and floor??? I use the deep litter method also. When I do deep clean the coop, I scoop out all the pine shavings and sweep up as much dust as I can and scrape off the roosts and any stuck on stuff. Then I just spray the entire coop with a fine mist of bleach (or vinegar) and water mix and let it dry. Then I put down a thin layer of diatomatious earth (DE) and cover the floor and nest boxes with new pine shavings.With the deep litter method, I spot clean under the roosts once a week and add more pine shavings to the entire coop and nest boxes when needed. I have boot trays under the roosts. Hope that helps.
 
Type "Deep Litter Method" into the search box and you will find many threads that explain how people use the method. Lots of variances--you'll find what works best for you.

I use the method and I don't use any cleaners because I want the composting action to happen in the bedding. I intentionally leave behind 1-2 inches of old bedding during clean out to seed the new bedding with the healthy bacteria needed to continue composting.

My bedding was such a healthy compost pile that I actually found live earthworms in it when I cleaned it out!
 
I'm new and I haven't even built a coop yet. Been trying to read up before I start.

I'm uncertain about pests. I read that to keep mites, lice, fleas, mice, and rats at bay, you need to keep the coop clean.
And I read that deep litter requires cleanout only 2-4 times a year.
Which way do I go?
Anybody got pest troubles from deep litter???

I am a gardener, so I'm very interested in the composting.
 
Hi, I have been using the DL method for many years, however, I am changing to sand this year. I have a friend that uses sand in her coops and I really loved how nice her coops look. She says she just rakes the sand and scoops up the poop, leaving the sand. Most of the poop just disappears, and it has the added bonus of keeping the chickens legs nice and exfoliated.
I only clean out my coops about once or twice a year with the deep litter method. I think that it is a great way to go. Also the sand method.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone, my babies are only maybe a week and a half still so I have time to decide.
 

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