Do you have coop spring cleaning plans?

[PepsNick]

I just change bedding every two days and dust or hose the coop only occasionally. The current one is small but I'm sure my "plans" will change once the new coop gets here.

 

[woodmort]

I clean the coop out once a year--deep litter method with wood shavings--in the spring but it'll be a while yet. The snow is so deep that I can't get my 4-dr Kubota through it to the garden to dump the stuff--the snow builds up under the RTV so the wheels can't touch the ground. Also I prefer to work in the coop when the birds are all outside and they won't go out into the snow--otherwise they are flying around, crashing into the walls and acting crazy. My usual cleaning job takes place at the end of March or early April then I till the stuff into the garden in MidApril.

 

[OldSchoolBackyard]

We had our first nice 50something degree day here in Iowa last Saturday so I did some end of winter/early spring cleaning in my coop. I was finally able to clean all the poop boards off! That was a relief as I had to practically use a hatchet during the winter time to break off small chips of grossness. I have several feedbags filled with the "good stuff" to dump on my compost pile once it dries enough for me to get there without leaving craters in the yard. I also took advantage of the warm to kick the chicks into the yard so I could really stir up my deep litter and mix in a new bale of fresh shavings. This was my first winter with chickens and I am glad I went the deep litter route. I have also been reading about the whole Diametric Earth thing and just tried it out for myself this last cleaning. We will see how this makes a difference. Its amazing how hard the poop gets on the roosting boards! I felt like I was carving 2x4s out of chicken poop! Needless to say, the coop smells a little fresher and the ladies were taken back by all the fresh shavings.

Those that do deep litter with pine shavings... question. Do I need to let these shaving sit for a while in a compost pile in the spring or can I mix them right into my garden soil? I know that mixing "raw" poop into the soil will throw off that delicate balance and you have to let it age. Is it the same with the shavings?

Now that the snow is leaving/has left, I've got that itch to get out there in the yard and get ready for spring! I think I am going to let my yard get a head start before I release the hens to have complete free range in the yard. I've seen them do a number on the grass! Also looking forward to closing in my coop yard. Had a hawk take out my favorite Crested Polish right there in the yard. She died in my arms... miss that little bugger

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
In the spring I just toss everything right on the garden and rototill it in good then plant. Usually there is a rain--sometimes snow--between the time I clean the coop and the time I hit it with the tiller. Also those shavings have been in the coop for a couple of months anyway so are starting to compost as is all but the top layer of manure. I suspect, if anything, the pine savings may make the soil a little acidic, but nothing to cause problems. As long as the manure, even fresh, is mixed in well it doesn't need to "age", just don't pack some fresh stuff right around your plants. On the other hand, if I do clean shavings out during the summer--will do it if I've brooded chicks--I will dump them in an out-of-the-way place to compost before using.
BTW, one year I cleaned out a brooder and dumped the poop directly on the garden where I had planted some broccoli--it produced heads the size of dinner plates so fresh manure isn't bad for all plants. Not good for tomatoes though.

 

[sourland]

Part of the decomposition process of plant material requires a source of nitrogen. The chicken feces may provide that, or the process may deplete your soil of nitrogen. Because of that, I prefer to compost. Others do not and have no problems. If your plants start to "yelow out", just add nitrogen.

 

[jaj121159]

I just cleaned out my coop after 6 months of use. I'm planning on going to once a year cleaning since I just added a poop board that I scrape once a week. I compost and will use it on the gardens this spring.

 

[NHchicks]

I guess for the most part people don't use bleach to clean their coops?

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

I'm just waiting for all this snow to melt so I can actually clean out the tractor and drag it to the woods where my compost pile is. It is warming up and things are melting but I figure it will be march before a thorough cleaning will be done. I dont use bleach. Just shovel out the deep litter, sweep down the floor, walls and ceilings, wash the roost and nest boxes with vinegar water. When everything is dry I spread de on everything and fill with fresh pine litter. Cant wait for spring so I can move the tractor every day. I have some serious reseeding to do where they have spent the winter!!!

 

[Noncentzter]

I use sand and clean it out about twice a year and just did it last weekend. I don't know if the girls appreciate it, but I do! So glad I don't have to deal with snow very often!!

 

[dsqard]

Dying to get good enough weather to do this. I am with woodmort though, probably won't be able to do this for another six weeks. I am using the deep litter method as well and I can't wait to get all of the old stuff out and new stuff in. It isn't smelly but I am itching to have it all new. I also have some work I want to do on the coop like adding poop boards, more roost space, screwing on some of the trim boards that have come off, etc. I am so ready for spring!