{"title":"Bedding \u0026 coop hygiene","description":"\u003cp\u003eYou cannot smell a clean chicken coop. As soon as you smell ammonia when opening the door, the bedding is too wet or has been left too long. This page is about the layer on the floor and the cleaning routine that keeps your coop dry, fresh and unattractive to parasites.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat bedding has to do\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFloor covering absorbs droppings and moisture, insulates against a cold floor and gives the chickens something to scratch in. Good bedding absorbs a lot of moisture, is low in dust and free of mould. Common choices are dust-free wood fibre or wood shavings, chopped straw, and hemp or flax bedding. Long, unchopped straw mats together and can start to heat, and fine sawdust is dusty, which burdens the airways.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eA workable cleaning routine\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDaily or every few days:\u003c\/strong\u003e remove the droppings under the perch. That is where most of it ends up, and with a droppings board or tray it is quick.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeekly:\u003c\/strong\u003e replace wet patches around the drinker and check nest boxes for dirty bedding.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriodically:\u003c\/strong\u003e empty the coop, brush it clean dry, wash it out and let it dry thoroughly before putting in new bedding. During that clean, pay attention to seams and the ends of perches: that is where red mite hides.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDryness starts with the coop\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBedding only stays dry if the coop is well ventilated and the drinker does not leak. A drinker on legs or on a tile stops chickens kicking bedding into it. A coop with smooth walls and few cracks, such as you can choose in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/small-chicken-coops\"\u003ecompact chicken coops\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/large-chicken-coops\"\u003ewalk-in coops\u003c\/a\u003e, makes the periodic clean easier. For cleaning and disinfecting products, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/disinfecting-stables-and-coops\"\u003edisinfecting and cleaning the stable\u003c\/a\u003e, and if you suspect parasites, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/red-mite-control\"\u003ered mite control\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis subcategory is still being stocked with types of bedding. Back to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/chicken-coops-and-runs\"\u003echicken coop and run\u003c\/a\u003e or on to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/chicken-runs-and-enclosures\"\u003ethe floor of the run\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich bedding is suitable for a chicken coop?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLow-dust wood fibre, chopped straw, and hemp and flax bedding absorb moisture well. Avoid dusty sawdust and long straw that can go mouldy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow often should I clean the chicken coop out completely?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat depends on the number of chickens and the size of the coop. Remove the droppings under the perch often; do a big clean as soon as the bedding becomes damp or starts to smell.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan chicken manure go on the compost heap?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, mixed with bedding it is a nitrogen-rich addition to compost. Do not use it fresh on vegetables; let it compost thoroughly first.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.fidello.us\/collections\/chicken-bedding-and-coop-hygiene.oembed","provider":"Fidello","version":"1.0","type":"link"}