Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
your run with wire mesh. The windows and doors on your coop need locks to secure the birds
at night or when unsupervised. Some predators, raccoons especially, are clever and can break
into even the most secure runs and coops.
Bedding
The floor of the chicken coop can be concrete, wood, linoleum, or vinyl (the last two are easi-
er to clean), but it should be covered with wood shavings, wood pellets, hay, or straw. Pine
wood shavings are the best choice because they hold up well and smell good. Never use cedar
because it can be toxic to your birds. Sawdust is not recommended because it can cause res-
piratory problems. Hay and straw can attract mites, lice, and rodents; you can still use it, but
you will need to clean more frequently and check daily for infestation.
The
deep litter method
is the most popular bedding method because it takes little time and
provides compost. This method requires layering 4 to 8 inches of wood shavings on the coop
floor; you will need to rake the shavings every day to spread them evenly. Your chickens will
help do this naturally, and you can throw corn on the floor to encourage the birds to scratch
through the shavings, which will keep the bedding even and aerated. Raking the shavings
helps aerate the wood, which will decompose on the bottom. After it mixes with the chicken
manure for six months to a year, the shavings will become compost, and you can spread it in
your garden or lawn for fertilizer. You need to clean out the coop only once or twice a year; if
your hen house starts to smell, you will know it is time to clean.
To clean the coop, shovel out the wood shavings and remove feeders, waterers, and anything
else that can be taken out. Put on some rubber gloves and mix one part bleach, one part dish-
washing liquid (antibacterial), and ten parts water. Scrub the coop from top to bottom with a
scrub brush, and rinse it well with a hose. Wait until the coop is completely dry before putting
fresh bedding down and allowing the chickens back in. Moisture can cause mold and mildew,
which can cause illness in your flock.
It is perfectly acceptable to clean your coop weekly or monthly if you do not like the thought
of doing it only twice a year. If you choose to do this, only 2 or 3 inches of wood shavings or
hay is necessary to use at one time. You can make the shavings thinner in the summer months
and thicker in the winter. Mesh wire can cover part of the floor to catch manure, but it is not
recommended for the entire floor because it is not healthy for the birds' feet, and it makes the
floor too cold in the winter. Chickens also have the need to scratch, and wire does not give the
