How often do you clean

[sadies0111]

Hi, I have a small coop (a 4 foot cube), with four hens. First of all, I successfully use the deep litter method, and it works great, although they are outside pretty much all day, and just go in to eat or sleep. So, there isn't all that much poop in the coop. In the winter, when they are inside a little more often, I usually stir up the shavings everyday, and occasionally add more as needed. I live in WI, and even last winter when they were young, and inside 90% of the time (and we also had 2 roosters who have since been slaughtered), and we never had any issues with odor.

Secondly, I would also suggest much larger roosts. Mine have never slept on the floor since they were big enough to jump onto the rooster. We have two roosts, and they are both about 2 1/2 inches wide.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I use the deep litter method. I completely clean EVERYTHING from the coop twice a year-spring and fall. In between those times, I simply spot clean by scrapping any poo off the roost bars and such into a 5 gallon bucket. Easy peasy.

 

[lorain's fids]

Quote:
I am 19 weeks into having chickens-I have 5. So far clean-up is pretty easy. On the floor I am using the horse bedding(the compressed pine that needs water added to it) and pine shavings. I put the horse bedding under the roosts and then on the floor I use horse bedding and some pine shavings. Clean-up is 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the afternoon. I use a glove and just pick up the poop which is sitting on top of the beddings. Then if need be I add more pine shavings. I have been cleaning out the entire coop every 6 to 7 weeks. Then I sweep all the stuff out and wash the floor and walls with vinegar. I do think though that I will add some straw this weekend, as it is getting colder out.

 

[hispoptart]

Ok so I am going to block off the nesting boxes again at night. I will get bigger roosts and I am going to try the deep litter method. But really I hate to think of just stirring in all that poop in such a small area. Maybe I'll put on gloves and pull out as much as I can before stirring it up.

Thanks everyone for all of your advice, I know I can always count on you all!

 

[hollyehall]

We have that same coop and our hens use the roosts so I don't have that issue. However, we also have a second coop of different design which doesn't have room for the raised roosts and they sleep in the nesting boxes. I use a kitty litter scoop to move out the poo and turn over the shavings first thing in the morning. No issue with wetness. We clean the coops weekly. And definitely get the compressed bag of shavings mentioned in earlier post. Lasts a long time and is inexpensive!

 

[hhave]

we use 2x4's flat for roosting bars. this helps with keeping their feet warmer in the winter too.

 

[SteveBaz]

Yes the Bag opens up to almost 11 cuft and I pay $6.25 and it lasts a long time. I lay down about 2 to 3" to start and then each day pick up all the little poops and then with a 2' spoon mix it up and fluff it. I take a cup each week and spread DE (diatomaceous earth) to help with odor control and moisture control. Now the moisture is a buildup in the sleeper bc it needs a lot more air circulating in there to help dry it from the ammonia smell and the moisture buildup. I try to each day for a couple hours fluff up the wood shavings/chips and open up the doors to the sleeper and let it air out. The D.E. is good for mites, lice odor control and other treatments. After a week or 2 put another inch or 2 of wood chips. At the end of 3 months I dump all the sleeper chips in the coop and all the coop stuff out in the run or flower beds or compost pile. It works and works very well. You need to experiment and see what your comfortable with but the D.E. helps an awful lot Good Luck

 

[hispoptart]

Thanks everyone

I am going to do the deep litter and get some DE the next time I am at the big city. I just layed all new bedding yesterday so I am off to pick up poop

LOL NOT! Oh well if it saves on the amount of bedding I go through then I will be happy about that. The one thing I keep forgetting to do is un-block the nesting boxes before I leave for work, gonna have to post a note on the fridge.