There are so many reasons Why you should keep your Chicken Coop clean. One of the more obvious reasons is chicken and poultry health. Let's outline the importance for you so you can begin to appreciate the benefits for your chickens and poultry.

Hygiene

Chickens are only as healthy as the environment they live. If the coop or pen is cleaned regularly of faeces, then there is less likelihood of bacteria and infection spreading to the chickens.

Also, keep it safe for the children and family by helping to prevent bird to human contamination.. 

Disease Prevention

Disease prevention is better than trying to fix it after the horse has bolted. It is also another great reason Why you should keep your chicken coop clean. Coccidiosis in Poultry is a disease which can spread quickly throughout your flock. Chickens naturally scratch around in the dirt looking for food. The disease can spread if a chicken consumes a sporulated oocyst found in the faeces of an infected chicken. While there are treatments available to treat Coccidiosis, you can help prevent infection of the flock by managing the droppings. If you think one of your hens is infected, you should isolate the sick one immediately from the flock. Treat the infected bird and quarantine them until they are healthy. Then perform a throughout cleanout of the coop or pen including Feeders, Waterers, Lubing Cups, Replace bedding and disinfect the entire coop.

Smell

Putting aside the neighbours, smelling a foul (pardon the pun) chicken coop is a perfect reason Why you should keep your chicken coop clean. If your coop has easily accessible cleaning trays, then the more regular they are emptied and cleaned the less smell. Chicken manure tends to pile up in a coop if not taken out. So attending to this allows you to keep chickens without the smell. Let's face it. You wouldn't want to live in a room with poop in the corner, and your hens feel the same way.

By removing the manure from the coop, you are also protecting your feathered friends from nasty diseases and pests.

Another reason for cleaning the manure from the coop is rodents. The two main reasons rodents are attracted to a chicken pen is feed on the ground and also the smell. If you keep the feed on the ground to a minimum and also keep the manure smell at bay, you lessen the likelihood of rodents.

Mites

The Best way to combat mites is by keeping the pen or coop clean. Mites, bugs and other parasites find their way into the coop by hitching a ride on other birds like crows and pigeons. Once there, they find a spot to breed until they start biting the flesh of your hens. Before this happens, you can clean the coop naturally with Apple Cider Vinegar. We have put together an excellent article for you to Naturally keep the Coop clean without harsh chemicals. Do not underestimate mites. Low numbers irritate Chickens. Red Mites in large enough quantities can cause death to your Hens. Another option for killing off minute pests and bugs is to treat the coop floor with boiling water.

If mites have taken up residence, then you can treat the coop or pen with Chicken Vet Poultry Shield. Remove all existing bedding and spray throughout the coop. This product is both a disinfectant and also an effective treatment against Red Mites. Once the coop is dry, replace the bedding.

If the chickens and poultry are afflicted, Chicken Vet Mite Powder can be applied to the hen to kill off mites. You can purchase this product at www.chickenvet.co.uk

The simple reality is mites can be lessened and controlled by regularly cleaning the coop.

Make a Day of It.

Your lady friends in the coop provide you with fresh delicious eggs so return the favour by cleaning their coop. Cleaning doesn't have to be a major chore. Turn on the radio. Plug in your favourite tunes. And get to work. Once finished take the time to appreciate what you have done for your ladies.

How often should you clean the Coop?

Depending on the number of hens you have we would recommend a tidy twice a week and a serious clean once a month.