Can I clean my chicken coop with a shop-vac?

[Connor Bassani]

So it's that time of the week again, coop cleaning! My coop has a slide out bottom... but it's so shallow that the shavings and poop just can't fit through the slot it slides out of (so I end up using a broom and a shovel)! They also poop in their nesting boxes and the shovel can't fit in there so I have to try to use the broom to sweep it into the main part of the coop where my shovel does fit but it's kinda hard to scoop everything up and I can't get everything out out of the nesting boxes. Now normally this isn't a problem but I live in Utah right next to the mountain and there's a cold front coming in and when it's windy the shavings and poop just blow right out of the shovel! I've got a vacuum (not a dyson, that's for inside only lol) it's a wet/dry shop vac (6 gallons, I've attached a picture) and I was wondering if I could vacuum my coop with that? The hose that you vacuum with just goes straight to the drum, it doesn't pass through any filter, so I assumed I would be good to vacuum it out, but I don't know if it will clog or something and I don't want to risk it. Has anyone else tried and succeeded using a vacuum?

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would not.
Histoplasmosis causing fungal spores are found in bird droppings. You would not want that in your vac, shop or otherwise. Every time you turn it on the out port will be releasing potential health problems.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/histoplasmosis/basics/definition/con-20026585

 

[The Togt]

Don't know about the vacuum, sounds like a lot of work getting it out each time, then cleaning it etc. Have you thought of modifying your coop. Try cutting out a hinged flap, as the opening for the slide is too tight. That way you can open the flap, pullout the slide, broom it off & put it back. Bit of hard work now will save hours later.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I did . ONCE LOL I wasnt aware of the health concerns. I used it to clean out my broody cages and it worked pretty good. It wasnt one I used it the house . I bought it in a yard sale just for this. I thought I had it made !
Next time I went to use it I turned it on and mice come shooting out everywhere ! Bout had a heart attack. Went in the garbage . So yes, it worked, once .

 

[Connor Bassani]

Don't know about the vacuum, sounds like a lot of work getting it out each time, then cleaning it etc. Have you thought of modifying your coop. Try cutting out a hinged flap, as the opening for the slide is too tight. That way you can open the flap, pullout the slide, broom it off & put it back. Bit of hard work now will save hours later.

Definitely gonna do that, and that's one of my problems down... now I just need to worry about the nesting box situation!

 

[Connor Bassani]

I would not.
Histoplasmosis causing fungal spores are found in bird droppings. You would not want that in your vac, shop or otherwise. Every time you turn it on the out port will be releasing potential healthy problems.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/histoplasmosis/basics/definition/con-20026585

Do not want that, sounds like I problem nobody wants to deal with! Thank you!