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Clean, dry, and drama-free—your daily/weekly/monthly plan that actually keeps birds healthy.
Let’s be honest, coops get gross, and fast. Between mud, poop, predator panic, and “Where did that smell come from?” moments, a dirty or dysfunctional coop can turn chicken keeping into a nightmare.
This page is your no-BS guide to keeping your coop livable, your birds healthy, and your stress levels below “burn it all down.”
Whether you’re starting from scratch, battling winter funk, or just looking for a way to spend less time scooping crap, we got you.
Deep litter method: great for cold climates, low-maintenance if done right
Regular scooping: great for small coops or high-poop flocks
Natural cleaning: Use vinegar or mild soap—bleach is a last resort
🔥 Clancy Crowed It:
"If your coop smells like bleach and sadness, you’re doing it wrong."
Pro Tip: Don’t chase sterile. Chase safe. There's a difference.
Droppings boards? Worth it if you actually clean them
Composting? Hot pile it, cover it, let it cure
Fly control? Use dry bedding, not ten fly traps and a prayer
🧪 Clancy-Approved Product Idea: Coming soon: Poo Happens CluckKit™ (gloves, scraper, compost starter, and your last nerve)
If you're smelling ammonia, it’s a sign of too much nitrogen (poop) + moisture + not enough carbon or airflow.
Barn lime (a.k.a. ag lime, not quicklime!) can neutralize acidity, dry out wet bedding, and reduce ammonia volatilization.
✅ Use only hydrated dolomitic lime or labeled barn/ag lime (NOT quicklime—toxic to skin, lungs, and birds)
✅ Sprinkle lightly under fresh bedding or in damp corners after a deep clean or fluff
✅ Pair with fresh carbon bedding (pine shavings, chopped straw, hemp) to lock in moisture and odor
🚫 Don’t dust birds with it
🚫 Don’t use it instead of proper airflow or cleaning
🔥 Clancy Crowed It:
“If you smell ammonia, don’t light a candle—fix your bedding, fluff it, and lime that corner.”
🐓Standard Bedding Version
Print it. Post it. Stop forgetting what day it is.
✅Daily Tasks
☐ Feed (fresh, measured); water topped & on a stand
☐ Collect eggs
☐ Quick scrape on roost boards (if needed)
☐ 3–5 minute sit-and-see check (quietly watch the flock)
☐ Vent check: clean/dry vents
☐ Coop doors latched at night
☐ Vents open for airflow (dry air > warm air)
☐ Weather scan: shade/water in heat; windbreak in winter
🔁Weekly Tasks
☐ Scrub waterers (inside and spouts/nipples)
☐ Wipe down feeders; clean up spills
☐ Spot-refresh bedding (high-traffic areas and nests)
☐ Rake run; rotate enrichment
☐ Hardware check: latches tight, no gaps or weak spots
📅Monthly Tasks
☐ Full coop clean: remove litter, scrape, sweep
☐ Wash trays/roosts (mild soap → rinse → dry)
☐ Pest check at night (base of roosts, corners)
☐ Vent audit: intake & exhaust open, cobwebs cleared
☐ Coop perimeter pass: hardware cloth secure, no dig-outs
🌱Seasonal Tasks (Landrace-Smart)
SPRING
☐ Deep clean
☐ Mite/lice check
☐ Repair/replace screens
SUMMER
☐ Provide shade + airflow
☐ Add waterers or frozen bottles
☐ Use electrolytes only for heat/travel
FALL
☐ Rodent-proof the coop
☐ Store feed in sealed bins
WINTER
☐ Ensure ventilation without drafts
☐ Use wide roosts for foot warmth
☐ Skip coop heat—landraces don’t need it
For managed composting bedding—NOT “never clean.”
Start depth: 4–6 in → build to 8–12 in
Carbon: pine shavings, chopped straw, dry leaves, shredded cardboard
NO cedar.
✅ Daily (same as standard)
☐ Feed & water
☐ Collect eggs
☐ Sit-and-see flock check
☐ Vent check (clean, dry)
☐ Latch doors; open vents; check weather
🔁 Weekly (DL)
☐ Fork-fluff top 2–3 inches (add air, break mats)
☐ Top up dry carbon under roosts & paths
☐ Scrub waterers; wipe feeders
☐ Check hardware & latches
📅 Monthly (DL)
☐ Depth check (aim for 8–12 inches)
☐ Nose test: earthy = good; ammonia = bad
☐ Vent dust-off for continued airflow
🌱 Seasonal (DL)
☐ Spring/Fall: deep fluff & carbon refresh
☐ Winter: dry airflow is still key
☐ Summer: add carbon during humidity
🔁 DL Reset Needed If:
☐ Coop smells like ammonia
☐ Recurring wet spots
☐ Pests/illness issues
☐ Been 6–12 months since last cleanout
🌬 What Good Ventilation Looks Like:
✅ Air out HIGH
✅ Air in LOW
🚫 No breeze on the roost
💡 Dry air = less frostbite
👃 If it smells, fix moisture—not heat it
🚫Do / ✅ Don’t
✅ Keep waterers on a stand (cleaner beaks, drier bedding)
✅ Use hardware cloth—not chicken wire—for predators
✅ Multiple feeding stations = less drama
🚫 Don’t fog with harsh chemicals
🚫 Don’t overdo herbs or potpourri
🚫 Don’t heat adult coops (especially for landraces)
🚨Troubleshooting Fast
Smell or damp?
☛ Add carbon, fix drips, open vents
Bullying/pecking?
☛ Add space, more stations, hanging toy, or isolate briefly
Dirty eggs?
☛ Refresh bedding, add nest, collect earlier
Dust storm while cleaning?
☛ Wear a mask and ventilate during scrub sessions
Need help with coop care? Ask your question here. We’ll get you sorted without the drama.
