coop cleaner?

[SarahYoungner]

every now and then my coop gets a nasty smell, a nauseating smell, especially when it rains. When this happens, I have to clean the coop and run. which I have no problem with. I was wandering if anyone had any homemade cleaning agents? something for smell especially!
Thanks!

 

[SarahYoungner]

HELP QUICK!!

 

[chickenbythesea]

I use plain vinegar to clean and disinfect with, mind you, my coop and run have never been really stinky or smelly so I don't know if it would remove strong smells.

 

[HEChicken]

A chicken coop really should not smell - it is only when things are out of balance somewhere that an odor develops. You said this mostly happens after it rains - can you address where the leaks are to prevent the water getting into the coop?

Other things to address are:
Population (how many birds to how much space. If the coop is too small for the number of birds it houses, the poop will build up faster than the bedding can absorb it)
Bedding - what kind and how much. Some people use shavings, others swear by pine pellet bedding and still others use sand. What you use is as much personal preference as it is geared towards your environment. I am currently using shavings which absorb the poop really well. I've also used pellets and liked them a lot too. Until you get your leak issue resolved, you might also try getting a product called Stall Dry which is in the horse section of your feed store, and spread that around - it helps to dry up moisture.
Ventilation - if you are smelling an ammonia smell, you might need to look at your ventilation and see what you can do to increase it.

I know none of those things addresses your immediate question, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure or so they say

Regarding cleaning it now, I would scoop everything out of there and then put down a layer of stall dry and then some dry, clean bedding on top. I'd also consider installed poop boards so you can more easily clean out the majority of the poop without having to scoop the whole coop each time. And I'd definitely address the moisture issue when it rains.

Good luck!

 

[flewdacoop]

 

[Davlyn]

This is just what I wanted to know, what to clean & disinf a coop with . I also use white vinegar , figured it's safe.
I need to figure out how to put in a poop tray. Like that idea... I clean out every few days, I use shavings.... Thanks for sharing

 

[SunnyAlberta]

Virkon is a cleaner intended for use with birds.