Chicken coop with a dirt floor is kind of difficult to clean but if you know how to clean a dirt floor coop then you would be able to do it easily.
As you know cleaning chicken coops is vital for the health and happiness of your chickens. Like Human beings, chickens also need a fresh and clean environment for their happiness and health.
Always remember that neglecting to clean a chicken coop can lead to a host of problems. Accumulated waste can harbor harmful bacteria, cause foul odors, and result in harmful health issues for your chickens.
In this article, we will discuss the cleaning process of a dirt floor coop in simple and easy steps so it will help chicken owners clean the dirt coop floor.
Short Answer:
Using the deep litter bedding method in a dirt-floored chicken coop is a smart choice because it means less cleaning work for you. You will not have to clean as often. This can work for months or even a whole year before you need to do a deep clean.
Furthermore, the used deep litter bedding is fantastic compost for your garden as well. It is like a win-win for both you and your plants.
How To Clean Dirt Floor Chicken Coop?
I use the deep litter bedding method for my chicken coop floor because this method is an excellent choice for dirt floor chicken coops which offers numerous benefits. Just remember to maintain the bedding regularly to prevent the buildup of ammonia gas and the growth of bad bacteria.
What Is Deep Bedding For Chickens?
The deep bedding method is an old-school technique that has been used for hundreds of years in chicken coops It involves adding layers of bedding material like straw or wood shavings, over time.
This creates a comfortable, moisture-absorbent surface for chickens. As the bedding accumulates over time it recycles the organic matter underneath which also reduces foul odors and provides a valuable compost for gardening.
Why The Deep Bedding Method Works Best For Chickens Coop
Deep bedding in a chicken coop offers several benefits:
- Insulation: Deep bedding provides insulation from the cold floor and helps to keep the coop warmer in colder weather which is especially important for cold-sensitive chicken breeds.
When you add layers of bedding with straw or wood shavings, it creates an additional barrier between the chickens and the cold ground. This layer of bedding acts as a buffer against chilly temperatures which helps to keep the coop warmer.
- Moist Control: It effectively absorbs and controls moisture because straw or wood shaving has excellent moisture-absorbing properties. When chickens walk around, eat, and drink, they naturally produce droppings and spill water.
Over time, these fluids can accumulate on the dirt floor. However, the deep bedding absorbs and retains these liquids, preventing them from pooling on the floor.
- Odor Reduction: Odor reduction through the deep bedding method is a game-changer for the chicken coop, deep bedding serves as a natural odor control system within the chicken coop. As chickens go about their daily activities, they produce waste in the form of droppings and water spillage.
What makes deep bedding exceptional is its ability to absorb and neutralize these odors effectively. Bedding materials like straw, wood shavings, or leaves serve as sponges, soaking up moisture and encapsulating the odor-causing compounds within their structure.
- Natural behavior: Encouraging natural behavior through the deep bedding method is not only beneficial but also fulfilling for chickens. Chickens have innate instincts to scratch, peck, and forage in their surroundings, which is vital for their physical and mental health. Deep bedding provides the perfect opportunity for chickens to engage in these natural behaviors.
- Composting: The composting aspect of the deep bedding method is a sustainability win-win. As layers of bedding materials and chicken waste accumulate and naturally break down over time, they transform into nutrient-rich compost within the confines of the coop. This composting process is not only beneficial for the environment but also for your gardening and landscaping endeavors.
The resulting compost material is a valuable resource that can be used to enrich garden soil, improve plant growth, and enhance the quality of landscaping. It is packed with essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which is also essential for a healthy plant.
- Reduce work for you: Deep bedding in a chicken coop simplifies your workload by decreasing the need for frequent cleanings. If you choose deep bedding for cleaning the dirt floor then you do not need to clean your coop on a weekly or even monthly basis because you may change bedding yearly also.
How to Clean a Chicken Coop with a Dirt Floor?
Once you have chosen deep bedding for cleaning the dirt floor chicken coop, here are a few steps by which you can do the job correctly.
- Gather Your Supplies for Cleaning Coop:
- Rake or pitchfork
- Shovel
- Fresh bedding material (e.g., straw, wood shavings, leaves)
- Cleaning solution (optional)
- Personal protective equipment (gloves and a mask if needed)
Personal Protective Equipment
“I would say you should have a respirator with protective glasses on when working in a dusty coop as you do not want to breathe in there.”
2 . Prepare the Area:
Begin by removing all chickens from the coop to a safe and temporary location, because your priority should be the well-being of your chickens. To ensure their safety, gently and carefully relocate them to a temporary, secure space outside the coop. This step prevents them from any accident or stress for the sweet chickens.
- Remove all the bedding and debris from your coop
To accomplish this, effectively clear out the existing bedding material, including waste and accumulated debris with the help of the tools mentioned above. Proper disposal of the removed material, whether through composting or under local waste disposal regulations.
- Deep clean every part of your coop
Once you have removed all the bedding and items from the coop, it is time for a deep clean. This means scrubbing all the surfaces like the floor, roosts, nesting boxes, and windows.
Do not forget to clean even the corners and small spaces where pests like mites might hide. To do this, use a strong soap, vinegar, and water mixture or poultry-safe disinfectant. This cleaning not only keeps the coop tidy but also gets rid of hiding spots for pests, ensuring your chickens stay healthy and comfy.
- Level and Smooth the Floor
After removing the old bedding and debris, use a rake or shovel to level and smooth the dirt floor. This helps prevent moisture from pooling in low spots, reducing the risk of muddy conditions.
- Add new fresh bedding
When the coop is clean and completely dry, it is time to lay down a thick layer of new bedding material like straw, wood shavings, or leaves. This bedding isn’t just for comfort; it also helps absorb moisture from your chickens’ droppings, keeping the coop dry and more pleasant for them.
The Right Ratio of Bedding and Chicken Poop
“What I Do: I like to keep the bedding in the ratio of 4:1. That is 1 part of poop and 4 parts of shavings to start the composting process and no ammonia smell in the coop”
It is like giving them a soft, cozy carpet to walk on and helps maintain a clean and healthy living space for your lovely chickens. Remember to replenish the bedding regularly to ensure it stays soft and absorbent. This bedding will now work for months and even a year.
Remember to Maintain the Bedding
“Remember to add a good ratio of the carbon layer (Pine shavings or straws) on top of your existing bedding when replenishing for the deep litter method to work”
“One more thing to remember is to stir the bedding whenever you notice a pile of poop or moisture above the bedding to keep it dry.”
How Often To Clean A Chicken Coop With Dirt Floor?
Cleaning the chicken coop with a dirt floor depends on the specific circumstances and your chosen management method. If you choose other cleaning methods then you will need to clean the floor every week, and if you choose the deep bedding method you do not need to clean the coop floor weekly and not even monthly because in deep bedding you can clean the coop floor even after 1 year.
