Coops & runs
Chicken coop cleaning routine: the 10‑minute system
Cleaning isn’t hard. What’s hard is cleaning a coop that was designed like a decoration. Here’s a simple rhythm that keeps smell, flies, and parasites under control — without living in the coop.
Hard truth: you can’t “motivate” yourself into hygiene. You design yourself into it.
Daily rhythm
Weekly reset
Tools
Design upgrades
The 10‑minute daily
- quick health scan (alertness, breathing, comb colour)
- fresh water + feeder check
- scrape droppings board (if you have one)
- collect eggs
This prevents the “suddenly disgusting” moment.
The weekly reset
- replace bedding
- wipe perch areas
- refresh nest box bedding
- quick check for mites and damp corners
Weekly is what keeps your coop smell-free.
The monthly deep clean
- strip everything out
- clean surfaces and corners
- inspect joints, perch brackets, and cracks
- fix small problems before they become big ones
Your “cleaning kit” (keep it ready)
If you have to hunt for tools, you won’t do the job. Put these in one bucket:
- scraper for droppings board / tray
- small brush + dustpan
- spare bedding ready to go
- bin bags or a dedicated muck bucket
- head torch (for inspections)
Add gloves if you prefer, and always wash hands after.
Design choices that make cleaning easy
- Big access door: you can reach every corner.
- Removable tray: no awkward scraping in place.
- Droppings board: removes the worst mess daily.
- Smooth surfaces: less muck trapped; fewer mite hideouts.
Upgrade path: if cleaning feels impossible, change the coop (or modify it). Don’t “accept” misery as part of chicken keeping.
Cleaning connects to health (whether you like it or not)
Moisture & smell
If your coop is damp, fix airflow: ventilation guide.
Parasites
If you’re dreading mites, prevention is a routine: red mite guide.
Truth: the keeper who cleans little and often has “easy chickens”. The keeper who avoids cleaning has “problem chickens”.