Healthy Coop, Healthy Chickens

When it comes to raising backyard chickens, ensuring their health and well-being should be at the top of the list. One of the most important ways to maintain a healthy flock is chicken coop upkeep. Your chickens don’t have a housekeeper to help keep things neat and tidy, so that is up to you!

A clean coop promotes the overall health of your chickens and reduces the risk of diseases and pests—guaranteeing your hens’ happiness (and a plethora of delicious eggs).

Be a good chicken housekeeper

Regular Cleaning: Develop a routine for cleaning your chicken coop. At the very least, remove dirty bedding, droppings, and uneaten food daily. Dust for lice and mites and sweep floors a few times a week.

Deep Cleaning: Plan on a thorough deep cleaning of the coop periodically; how often depends on the size of your coop and flock…but plan for at least every other week. Remove all bedding, scrub surfaces with a disinfectant solution, and allow the coop to dry completely before adding fresh bedding.

Ventilation: Windows are very handy in ensuring adequate ventilation. A nice, steady breeze will prevent the buildup of moisture and harmful gases. Install some vents or windows to promote airflow and maybe even consider using fans during hot weather to keep the coop cool and dry. Make sure to cover windows with wire to prevent predators from snatching snoozing hens.

Maintain Dry Bedding: Keep bedding materials dry to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Absorbent materials such as straw, wood shavings, or shredded paper are great choices for bedding. Be sure to replace wet bedding promptly.

Secure Food: Store chicken feed in sealed containers to prevent freeloaders like mice and bugs from soiling your hens’ dinner. Scrub feeders and waterers regularly to prevent the buildup of algae, bacteria, and debris. Opaque waterers may make it difficult to see the water level, but will prevent algae buildup.

Monitor Health: Keep an eye on your chickens' health and behavior and treat any sickly hens quickly. Detecting illness early will prevent the whole flock from getting sick.

How does a clean coop keep chickens clucky?

Disease Prevention: A dirty coop is not a happy home. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can flourish, making your chickens sick. Diseases such as coccidiosis, salmonella, and avian influenza will thrive in dirty coops. Keep up with regular cleaning and disinfecting to prevent the spread of these diseases throughout your flock.

Bye-bye Parasites: Dirty bedding and accumulated waste create an ideal breeding ground for pests such as mites, lice, and flies. These nasties can cause irritation, stress, and anemia in chickens. By maintaining a clean coop, you can significantly reduce the risk of infestations and keep your chickens comfortable.

Better Air Quality: No one likes a smelly house. Ammonia and other harmful gases can build up in a poorly ventilated or very messy coop, leading to respiratory issues in chickens. Regular cleaning and open windows can help maintain good air quality inside the coop, promoting healthier living conditions (and happier neighbors for you).

Rodent-Free: Cleaning up old food and scrubbing food and water dishes will make the coop less inviting to unwanted rodent guests. Rodents carry disease and their droppings just add an extra layer (literally) of filth and odor. Plus, you bought that expensive feed for your chickens, not an entire mouse population!

All it takes is a bit of upkeep and proper maintenance to maintain a clean coop and happy, healthy chickens. Prevention is key when it comes to flock health, and a little effort in maintaining a clean coop can go a long way in protecting your flock.