Keeping a clean coop...

[trumpeting_angel]

I've got six and a half coops atm.

Normal mite and pest control is done with a blowtorch. The blue tip of a decent blowtorch flame is 400 degrees centigrade. Just touch from this kills every known mite and it's eggs instantly. There is no residue to worry about and as long as you haven't set fire to the coop the chickens can go back in immediately.

Wait . . . do you clean out shavings or straw once a week and then blowtorch? I'm trying to get a handle on this process. Or maybe you don't keep bedding in the coop, just in the nest boxes?

I can't picture this in my coop without setting a large fire.

 

[Folly's place]

No blowtorch needs to be anywhere near my coop! Poof!
Mary

 

[Coopscraft]

I'm awfully sorry old chap but would you care to elaborate.

Benzene is an organic chemical, as is petrol, that the zotal supplier you linked lists as one of the ingredients. It is a petroleum distillate, and carcinogenic. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzene

 

[Stockpilejoy]

I have a dirt floor in my coop/covered run and add pine shavings and hemp bedding each season. I claim to have a deep liter but I am ridiculously fanatic about scooping up any droppings I see so not sure I achieve it. I can't help myself...I even do this in their fenced in free range area. I've made it into a fun challenge called "find the chicken poo"..Hmm..I just saw her go but where is it? It takes me all of 5 seconds to scrape drop board each morning but that might be due to I just have a flock of 4.

 

[Cryss]

Wait . . . do you clean out shavings or straw once a week and then blowtorch? I'm trying to get a handle on this process. Or maybe you don't keep bedding in the coop, just in the nest boxes?

I can't picture this in my coop without setting a large fire.

Likewise!
There are other ways to get rid of mites. I guess though, if I were having a tough infestation that didn't respond to other treatments I'd clear out all bedding and nesting material , sweep away cobwebs, and give it a go.

 

[MsDarkAngelKisses]

'Clean' can be highly subjective.
Yep, they poop on everything...I just scrape off the big stuff.
But it rarely stinks, unless a fresh one has just been dropped or it's very humid.
I have good ventilation and never use any liquid to clean, dry is best, IMO.

-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.

-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.

-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.

- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 5 years.

Your chicken coop is awesome ! Wow !!!

 

[MsDarkAngelKisses]

My landlord cleaned her entire chicken coop about once a year, since I lived here for 15teen years ! I'm now going to be in charge of things since she going to move to another city because she afraid of Dam failing ! Only thing she cleaned more often was to scoop out poop from nesting boxes ! Well maybe she cleaned it more often but I'm unsure! I found a fireplace shovel on top of roost covered in thick dust !I bought pine shavings and I'm going to attempt cleaning out nest boxes ! Will take pictures today n post ! Warning we have ugliest chicken coop ever !

 

[aart]

Will take pictures today n post ! Warning we have ugliest chicken coop ever !

Great!
Start a new thread...I love a good restoration build thread.

 

[MsDarkAngelKisses]

Ok !

 

[rhondita55]

I don't clean. But I have an open coop/run because I'm in the hot desert. I just keep adding straw. I'll cut the bindings and toss them, then let the hens have fun spreading it around for me. They do a very good job. It's extremely hot here in summer (over 110°) So I have a mister system on 1 end that keeps the ground wet, the straw really helps with that. Been using wood chips now that there is a bad straw shortage.