When to clean out?

[InterestingChickens]

Hi,
I've been cleaning out my chicken's coup about once a week. it's 1.8 by 2.4 metres square. I'm wondering if I should be cleaning it out more regularly, or if I don't need to clean it out as much. Thanks!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The answer lies in what is the stocking density. Not just the size but how many chickens per sq. ft/meter?

 

[3KillerBs]

That's going to depend on a lot of factors:

How big the coop is.

How many chickens there are and how big the chickens are.

The specific bedding you use.

The weather/climate.

How well ventilated the coop is.

Your method for managing manure.

And so on. I personally prefer deep bedding and minimal maintenance and have come up with a routine that allows 6-12 weeks between changes. Some clean more. Some clean less.

 

[InterestingChickens]

That's going to depend on a lot of factors:

How big the coop is.

How many chickens there are and how big the chickens are.

The specific bedding you use.

The weather/climate.

How well ventilated the coop is.

Your method for managing manure.

And so on. I personally prefer deep bedding and minimal maintenance and have come up with a routine that allows 6-12 weeks between changes. Some clean more. Some clean less.

Thanks for the replies!

1. 1.8 by 2.4 square metres.

2. Three chickens, medium sized.

3. Pine shavings.

4. It varies.

5. It's got a few gaps that let the air in/out.

6. I put more pine shavings on top each day or I get some of the manure out.

 

[aart]

1.8 by 2.4 square metres.

1.8m x 2.4m = 4.32 square meters or 46.5 square feet.
Good space in a coop for 3 birds....if that's just the coop and not the run too.
Pics might help here.

Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @InterestingChickens
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks for the replies!

...

5. It's got a few gaps that let the air in/out.
...

No windows?

How long have you had them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm wondering if I should be cleaning it out more regularly, or if I don't need to clean it out as much.

We all have different standards and different conditions. My idea of cleanliness is quite likely different from yours. Poop should dry enough in a reasonable amount of time so you're not tracking it around a lot, but it takes a bit of time for poop to dry to that level. So reasonable expectation as far as that goes. But my main thing is how it smells. If it stinks you should have cleaned it out before now. If it doesn't stink it's not likely to be unhealthy.

If poop gets thick enough it won't dry out and will stink. I use a droppings board under the roosts so I can easily remove that poop build-up before it stinks. I almost never clean out the rest of the coop because I don't need to, at least by my criteria. We are all unique, some people need to pretty regularly. We all have to find our own answer to your question.

 

[InterestingChickens]

No windows?

How long have you had them.

Yes, no windows. Do I need windows? I've had these chickens for 17 weeks now.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes, you need windows for several reasons but most importantly for natural light and for oxygen. You'd be surprised how rapidly chickens can get respiratory problems/diseases when they don't have sufficient fresh air. Huge air exchange will keep your chickens healthy. As important as nutritious fresh feed and water is, fresh air is more important.
Chickens sleep in trees, not caves. A coop without windows is like a cave except that it is a HOT cave.
I wouldn't want to sleep or spend time in a box with no openings.

I feel like, if you wouldn't want to spend time in there, don't make your chickens sleep in there.

 

[InterestingChickens]

Yes, you need windows for several reasons but most importantly for natural light and for oxygen. You'd be surprised how rapidly chickens can get respiratory problems/diseases when they don't have sufficient fresh air. Huge air exchange will keep your chickens healthy. As important as nutritious fresh feed and water is, fresh air is more important.
Chickens sleep in trees, not caves. A coop without windows is like a cave.

Okay, will fix that!