Official BYC Poll: How Often Do You Clean Your Coop?

[Skyle]

Since the number of the chickens I have varies a lot I don't have a fixed timeframe. It can vary from once a week to everyday, basing on how many chickens there are. I simply go there and see (and sniff, too); if the bedding looks dirty I remove the dirty parts and put there fresh bedding. Also, when I clean the coop I scoop out the poops from the sand in the run.

 

[3KillerBs]

Every 6-12 weeks currently -- depending on weather and other factors (article here).

The new Open Air coop may need it less often because I may be able to use Deep Litter instead of Deep Bedding.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I clean mine 2-3 times a year. I’d like to start cleaning it more though. I clean it with my sister so I don’t actually mind doing it that much. We have 7 hens in the 40sq ft coop.

 

[PDXJULES]

I shockingly enjoy cleaning out the coop. Typically once a week or every other week.

I make up funny songs to sing while scooping. And it goes fast. The Pullets usually join me to sing along, help re-arrange bedding, or supervise noisily.

 

[chickmamato7]

My coop is sand based, so I scoop the droppings every morning and collect them in a bucket which gets emptied once a week. Takes only a few minutes & there is never a smell. I use sand in the run, too, and scoop & rake it daily (multiple times on weekends). I prefer a small daily chore to a large, smelly one several times a year. Plus, my chickens feet stay clean (can't stand to see poopy feet and prefer not to step in it, either)!

 

[chickentrains]

every 6 months or so .

 

[Tashua]

DEEP LITTER METHOD WITH HEMP , hardly no smell ever . . . SPRING CLEANING YEARLY

 

[Baumshell28]

I actually only have to do light upkeep, my birds roost outside in the kumquat tree that’s enclosed in their run. I have a friend growing a small nursery, so he comes whenever necessary for him, or for me if its getting deep and he cleans the coop area into barrels that he takes back to the nurseries compost pile! He brings a bale of alfalfa for the girls, and he spreads out my fresh bedding...he thinks I’m doing him a favor...I’m wheelchair bound... So Yeah, no I’m the winner here! Anyways, like my vote above, he cleans it as needed.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Once I get a bigger coop I’ll clean once a month. Right now I have to clean weekly because it’s tiny and I don’t want ammonia build up.

 

[CPeters]

We installed poop trays under their perches so it catches all the poop! Just slide the trays out and empty in the compost. Hose them off once a week and done! We have 11 hens and a Roo, they come right out in the mornings and just go back in to lay. So not much gets on the floor of the coop Which reminds me! I gotta go collect eggs!!