advice needed on spring cleaning

[Tecalli]

After a long cold snowy winter here in PA the temp is supposed to be in the high 50s for a few days. So I am thinking spring!
As part of spring cleaning I'd like to do a complete cleaning of the coop. Right now I have wood shavings in there and I use a kitty litter scoop to get out all the poop every morning so its not in bad shape. The girls just use it to sleep in. They spend all their time outside in their covered run, or when it was really windy they like to hang out under their coop. What exactly does a complete cleaning of the coop involve? I was planning on getting out all the shavings and then wiping everything down with a good disinfectant. Is there more that I should be doing? Also, should I be concerned with which disinfectant to use? Does anyone have a recommendation on a safe one to use? I was also going to disinfect their food and water holders.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[patandchickens]

Honestly I don't see any point in disinfecting unless you have had a problem with something. I'd just clean it out real well. You can use warm water and a scrub brush for stubborn stuck-on poo if you want (it often helps to lay a wet rag on it for a few minutes first). Really, I mean, unless there has been a disease in your flock there is probably nothing it'd be useful to chemically-kill anyhow

As far as disinfecting waterers, that's not a terrible idea to do periodically through the year (depending on how clean you keep them); a little bit of 1:10 bleach solution followed by a rinse is fine, or a salt scrub and rinse and then let them sit in the sun for the day to dry and get UV-disinfected. Honestly though, again, hot water and scrubbing will work just fine unless there is an active problem going on.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[gsim]

I think Pat nailed it pretty good . I am planning on doing mine, but only after the grass grows enough for me to get several drums of clippings. I use grass clippings for both nests and floor litter. I designed mine to be able to hose it out and can sweep it all out thru the entrance and pop doors.

 

[sgtmom52]

What they said and make sure to wear a good dust mask when cleaning the coop so you are not inhaling all the powdered poop dust you will be stirring up!

 

[Tecalli]

Thanks!
Given what you have advised, is there any need for me to do anything? Should I get rid of all the shavings and replace them with new ones? I take some out daily as I scoop out the poop, and then add fresh shavings as needed. I also sprinkle DE everytime I add new shavings. I've been doing that since last July when I got my chickens. The only stuck on poop is on the roosts and I scrape that off weekly and wipe down with a clorox disinfectant wipe. The waters are cleaned with soap and hot water about 2-3 times a week. I've only got 3 girls so its pretty easy to keep up with things. Please let me know if you recommend I do anything else. Thanks again.

 

[CityChook]

Sounds pretty clean to me. My opinion: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
If you think they should. <shrug>. It's one of those things where you kind of have to be there, you know? If it would make you happy to change out all the bedding, or if deep in your heart you think you *should*, then do. But you needn't do it just cuz it's springtime

If you have an uncontrollable urge to clean things and nothing to clean, come up here for a visit, I can keep you plenty entertained... LOL

Good luck, have fun,

Pat