cleaning coop

[Bcampo]

Hi all,
i’m getting ready for the big spring clean on my elevated coop. Have any of you installed a floor drain to sweep the dirty water into? after washing it down? i usually use a wet/dry vac but was thinking this might be easier. if so how did you rodent proof it?
thank you!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Any particular reason you want to wash the coop? Best clean in most cases is a dry clean - I use a leaf blower to get loose dust out, rake out the old bedding, use a broom to get out most of the remaining bedding dust, paint scraper if any "bits" are stuck, and that's it.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I like lime wash, too, but I prefer a dry coop. I do take out the roosts and wash/scrub/disinfect them, but I just sweep and scrape, too.

 

[Shezadandy]

Hi all,
i’m getting ready for the big spring clean on my elevated coop. Have any of you installed a floor drain to sweep the dirty water into? after washing it down? i usually use a wet/dry vac but was thinking this might be easier. if so how did you rodent proof it?
thank you!

Here and there I do a wall-wash in my coop because my chickens are professional poop-painters. Use pine bedding pellets at the base of your walls to soak up the moisture.

Also- don't use a hose. Get a cheap garden type sprayer like this one: https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-2-Gal-Pump-Sprayer-1502HDXA/307766539 -- very efficient and will reduce the amount of water you use while getting the job done. You can use a little dish soap if need be.

Otherwise I usually do as others have suggested - first I use the leaf blower to get rid of all dust (wear a mask!!!), starting with roof panels and rafters on down - might have to do it in stages. Collect the majority of the nesting/bedding material, use the blower on everything then re-bed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

first I use the leaf blower to get rid of all dust (wear a mask!!!)

Oh yes, absolutely use a mask (and goggles if you can stand it). I also suit up with old pants and long sleeve shirts from hubby's toss pile, boots, gloves, and an old shower cap to protect hair and ears. As I clean once a year the amount of dust inside the coop is insane when it all gets stirred up, so the more you cover up the better.

 

[Shezadandy]

Oh yes, absolutely use a mask (and goggles if you can stand it). I also suit up with old pants and long sleeve shirts from hubby's toss pile, boots, gloves, and an old shower cap to protect hair and ears. As I clean once a year the amount of dust inside the coop is insane when it all gets stirred up, so the more you cover up the better.

Yep! Actually I just head straight for the shower - there's a whole pile of clothes devoted to painting and deep cleaning the coop. Thankfully the ventilation fan helps spit the dust back outside but it's a dreaded task, even after just a couple of months.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Here and there I do a wall-wash in my coop because my chickens are professional poop-painters. Use pine bedding pellets at the base of your walls to soak up the moisture.

Also- don't use a hose. Get a cheap garden type sprayer like this one: https://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-2-Gal-Pump-Sprayer-1502HDXA/307766539 -- very efficient and will reduce the amount of water you use while getting the job done. You can use a little dish soap if need be.

Otherwise I usually do as others have suggested - first I use the leaf blower to get rid of all dust (wear a mask!!!), starting with roof panels and rafters on down - might have to do it in stages. Collect the majority of the nesting/bedding material, use the blower on everything then re-bed.

This is a great routine! Great idea using the pellets. Never even occurred to me.

I suppose a drain would do something similar. Might be worth a try! I just know that wet = bad juju here.

 

[Bcampo]

well this will make my life easier! i thought a yearly wash down was a must! i’ve used the blower before but it seems to just stir it up instead of remove it. How about vacuuming?

 

[aart]

i’ve used the blower before but it seems to just stir it up instead of remove it.

Really...where does it go?

How about vacuuming?

MUCH more efficient. I use the shop vac once a year or so, definitely clean the filter afterwards(I use the air compressor for that).

 

[DobieLover]

Really...where does it go?


MUCH more efficient. I use the shop vac once a year or so, definitely clean the filter afterwards(I use the air compressor for that).

I start with "scrubbing" all the surfaces with a cobweb duster like this:

Then remove the bedding and sweep.
Then shop vac.
Then open everything up and leaf blow.
All of this while wearing a very well fitted dust mask. And followed by a long hot shower.
I've never washed a wall, the ramp or the roosts, just the windows.
I've never cleaned out the poop boards but will do a "super scoop". I'm in the process of transitioning over from PDZ to coffee bedding for the boards to see if that will help reduce dust.
When I was cleaning the front windows yesterday I heard what I thought was scratching around in the coop litter for the little bit of seed I tossed in there. When I went in, two big hens were having a fine dust bath on the poop boards. They were both rather unceremoniously tossed out the door.

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