how often do i need to clean??

[graciesmum]

I got builders sand if that helps

 

[Cknldy]

I find Pine shavings quite a bit cheaper and a lot easier to clean.  You could also see if you could get the sawdust from your local saw mill.  although those are not as easy to find as they used to be.

I did start out getting sawdust from the local sawmill as it was just $5 for an entire truckload. But it was the almost powder dust. Chickens did dust in it since I scoop it every morning but I worried about respiratory problems. The sawdust from using the chainsaw for firewood is chipped so it is much better and a free byproduct.

 

[Cknldy]

So skip the hardwoods then and just go with pine? I can maybe let the shavings 'cure' and dry before I put them in there. Also, I can let the branches dry out before I put them through the chipper. That might just be easier. Thinking about making a sealed chest outside the coop or maybe a big barrel that will hold the dried shavings. 

That or maybe read more on sand... 

lol...hardwoods = good to go, pine= let fresh, just cut or chipped pine dry a bit because of the sap that runs out of fresh cut pine. The pine shavings that are bought are dried out already

 

[flrn]

What do you do to keep the outside run clean.?

 

[RedneckGurl]

For those considering sand in the run and/or coop, you should check out this thread on here.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should

 

[lauranickerson]

lol...hardwoods = good to go, pine= let fresh, just cut or chipped pine dry a bit because of the sap that runs out of fresh cut pine. The pine shavings that are bought are dried out already

Okay thanks! I have TONS of access to pine that all need trimmed and thinned out. Wood chipper needs fixed so that will give it all time to dry. Lol. My mom also had loggers come and thin out her woods, and has LOTS of pine tree tops and branches. That was in the fall, so hopefully that means they dried out enough..??

I can do hardwood, too as long as I know for sure that they aren't toxic for some reason. I'll stay away from oak all together.

Maybe I'll do a mix of everything.

 

[blakea]

hi i have 20 chickens and i clean it out about every 2-3 weeks.during the winter i just keep adding more pine shavings in to it.

 

[Fettfarm]

I am constantly amazed at my chickens. I use hay and every couple of months they empty the coop's hay out into their run. That is when I do a clean up job on the coop. The coop never seems smelly or nasty. I put fresh hay on top and they mat it down by the next day.

 

[kkowa]

I have shavings in the nest box and sand in the rest of the coop and I use a cat scoop to clean it out works great in the spring and summer and part of fall then I switch to compress shaving pellets in the winter these both work great and the pellets trap heat!

 

[chickenlver2013]

Hello i just wanted to know how often i would need to clean out my coop? once a week or every other day??

You know, You can also have wire flooring during the summer. That makes it easier because the droppings fall right through