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Barnyard Buddies:  Cleaning out the coop  |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9543 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9543 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 30 2019 : 7:40:05 PM
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I was just wondering for those who keep chickens, how often do you clean out the coop?
We did our Spring clean out today. It wasn't too bad. We don't do it during the winter except the nest boxes because they are always scratching the straw all out of them. We found some straw with Zeolite added to keep the dampness and smells at bay a bit.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - levisgrammy on Mar 30 2019 7:40:47 PM |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4427 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2019 : 03:43:20 AM
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I clean whenever it is needed. It has been a few months now. It is always nice to get that job done, and walk in a nice and fresh coop. Chickens are always happy too. I do need to get mine cleaned now. Been busy doing sap, so have not had the time. I have been using fake grass matts in my next boxes, and it has worked out real well. I am not sure what it is called, but i got it from menards. easy to take out and clean too. I cut the size i needed.
Farming in WI
Michele |
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JennyBryant7807
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Jenny
Monticello
IN
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2019 : 08:57:53 AM
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I think it depends on how mny chickens you have. We have 45 chickens and clean it would at least every other month. Otherwise our eggs start to get stains on them.
Mom-wife-teacher of littles-Farmgirl |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9543 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9543 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2019 : 2:16:16 PM
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What an ingenious idea. The fake grass mats!
We have 20 hens and I try to do it before it starts to smell bad. Sometimes time gets away from me though.
I found some interesting diy cleaning sprays on Pinterest I thought I might try. Do you use anything like that?
Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - levisgrammy on Mar 31 2019 2:17:38 PM |
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firecatinc
True Blue Farmgirl
1252 Posts
Lenora
Fulks Run
VA
USA
1252 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2019 : 6:06:50 PM
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I do spring and fall, usually May and October. I add litter every other month.
Nora
Farmgirl Sister #7131
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2017
http://firecatinc.wordpress.com |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4427 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2019 : 04:30:29 AM
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got mine cleaned over the weekend. I will throw lime around on the floor sometimes. I have sprayed around pinesol when it was needed, but that is about all i do. I have around 20 chickens and get chicks every other year. the fake grass is on rolls like carpet and you cut the sizes you need. I have extras to change out when needed. Then i soak and disinfect the dirty ones and dry.
Farming in WI
Michele |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9543 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9543 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2019 : 08:01:15 AM
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Where do you find the fake grass Michele? Are the rolls very wide?
Nora, do you mean you do the deep litter method in your coop?
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4427 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2019 : 03:34:36 AM
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I got mine at menards. It is on rolls like carpet, so 12 ft wide. I purchased how ever many inches that was needed for the nest boxes, and then cut them up at home. It has been a few years, so i don't remember if you could get a foot at a time or not.
Farming in WI
Michele |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7283 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7283 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2019 : 07:41:46 AM
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I don't have chickens but I like hearing about them. I also do most of my shopping on Amazon so I was interested to see what they offered in fake grass. Check out this link
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fake+grass&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015. & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth.
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4427 Posts |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9543 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9543 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2019 : 06:40:47 AM
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Thanks! I also found this. It works out to be a little more but we have 6 nests so I wouldn't more than this.
Menards is cheaper but I don't need 15 foot. However, I did wonder about maybe putting it under the roosts to help with the cleaning process. But then I don't want them to be confused and lay eggs under the roost. Right now the same material is in the boxes and under the roost and they only lay in the boxes. What do you think?
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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Barnyard Buddies: Cleaning out the coop |
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Cleaning out the coop
