Stupid Question.. cleaning

[Tapsmom]

Hi I am VERY new to chickens. Our 6 chicks are but 2 weeks old. We have been getting lots of advice and information here. We are building a barn and our chicken coop will be attached with and enclosed run. Based on my earlier response..we will probably be using a dog run as the basis for the run and covering the top and burying cloth along the bottom for protection. My question is this. How and when do you clean up after chickens? I want to keep their area as clean as possible with the least amount of work. Since we are building from scratch I figured the best time to prepare is before we build everything. Do they just poop everywhere or do they have certain areas that I would have to clean? Their brooder doesn't seem to get too messy, but it's large and they aren't yet

 

[schellie69]

It depends on what you use in the run if you put sand in there you might need to just rake once a week. I clean our coop once a week I use straw in the coop area. When we move our run to our new coop we are putting sand down which will be very nice since where are run is now is a muddy mess.

 

[Captain Carrot]

for keeping the coop as clean as possible, most here would recommend using sand inside the coop. As I understand it you put a thick layer of sand on the floor and then use a kitty litter scoop with slats to pick up the poop, and the sand falls through and back to the floor. I have no idea how much the sand costs and if you have to replace it often.

I personally use straw as I get it for free from a neighbor. I cover the concrete floor about 10cm with the straw, then every few days rake it to keep it fluffy.

Poop boards are a great idea to help keep the coop clean, these go under the roosts (chickens poop loads at night) and catch the poop. you then remove the boards ever two days or so, scrape them off in the compost heap, hose them down and spray with disinfectant. Then put them back. If you search for poop boards on the forum, you'll get lots of ideas how to build them into the design.

 

[Tapsmom]

Thanks I am learning more everyday. I have a LOT to learn LOL.

 

[Chicklette 1]

I have been using pine shavings with some DE mixed in for almost a year now in the coop. I have no odor issues or insect issues so it has worked out well for me. I do have a poop board under the roosts and I do clean this every day because there is really a lot of poop every day. I cannot see going a week without cleaning. I put the shavings on the poop board also and just replace it when necessary from the floor. I use a kitty litter scoop to pick up the droppings. Outside, I use pine needles and leaves and a long handled dog scoop and rake. I just pick up what I see and try to eliminate some of the larger masses of droppings. I could not believe how large some of the chicken dropping get as they get older. I have small dogs that have smaller droppings than some of the hens!! You will have to find your own groove for cleaning. I love being in the coop and pen with the chickens and it is so cute how they follow me around where ever I am cleaning. I think everyone has a different level of comfort when it comes to clean.