Quick cleaning advice?

[BettyNicol]

Hi. I have a chicken coop, yard and duck yard. The chicken coop is deep litter in bad need of cleaning. The duck yard (covered) has had accumulations of straw upon straw upon straw this winter. I have several problems. 1) mice have come in over the winter and I’ve been trying to get rid of them by live trapping and relocating. I may not be able to be successful with this, but I’m trying. the have dug underground tunnels. It’s a problem. 2) What do you do with all of the old bedding? Do you take it to the dump? 3) I had been using a compost but it’s pretty full and it also creates a happy home for the mice. I’m not in physical shape to manage all of this right now. I’ve been looking to hire someone to help but am having trouble with that too.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Do you know anyone who gardens? Many gardeners who don't have their own chickens would happily haul off your used bedding/litter for their compost.

 

[BettyNicol]

Welcome to BYC.

Do you know anyone who gardens? Many gardeners who don't have their own chickens would happily haul off your used bedding/litter for their compost.

I just think I can offer it because of the mice who’ve been living in it.

 

[3KillerBs]

I just think I can offer it because of the mice who’ve been living in it.

As long as you're honest about it you might have some takers.

Mice can't possibly live in a hot compost pile.

 

[aart]

I’ve been trying to get rid of them by live trapping and relocating.

Use fatal trapping.

 

[tigger19687]

Sorry Aart I must be following you today.

Yes, kill the mice, really they breed fast and large and they will eat your feed and ruin your area.

Get the old straw out and start over. Not sure how many will actually take old straw for their compost unless they have a Large long term area.
If your town has a place where you can dump lea es and tree. cuttings, take it there. My town has that and with what you have it will make the compost better ! I did this on the last group of hens I had when Spring came. Next time I won't use so much