Occasionally the chicken coop must be disinfected and cleaned accurately, in order to avoid the proliferation of parasites and bacteria. Keeping your coop clean has never been easierin fact, cleaning should concern the floor, walls and litter, but above all the equipment inside. It will therefore be advisable to disassemble and thoroughly clean the troughs, feeders, racks and nests. But let's proceed in order and see in detail how to do it.
Cleaning the chicken coop is not a simple activity: How often should you clean it?
First of all, it is good to distinguish 2 types of cleaning: a thorough cleaning of the chicken coop (disinfection) and more general cleaning (removal of chicken manure).
As for the first, since it is a very laborious activity, it is not recommended to perform the disinfection of the outdoor chicken coop frequently (especially during the night hospitalization). In fact, this type of cleaning requires a lot of time and to be carried out optimally it is necessary to "remove" hens and roosters from their usual places for the entire duration of the operation. This could then cause stress and discomfort, causing nervousness and quarrel among the animals. Consequently, it is recommended to disinfect once a year. Of course, if necessary, one can be done extraordinary disinfection of the hen-house, such as when we realize that a contagious disease is spreading among our chickens. In this case, to avoid the proliferation of the epidemic, it is worthwhile proceed with cleaning as soon as possible. If you opt to do two thorough disinfections during the year, then it will be better to do them in autumn and spring respectively. The absolute best time to disinfect is early autumn. In fact, this season the poultry are on a reproductive break. To facilitate this transition phase (and minimize the thermal shock for the animals) it is good to proceed with cleaning already from the first autumn days, so that the chicken coop is ready for lowering temperatures.
As for the second type of cleaning, that is removal of chicken manure, it is necessary to make a different speech. Given that chicken droppings can accentuate the proliferation of bacteria and diseases, it is advisable to proceed with a cleaning of this type more frequently, aimed at removing them. In principle, it is advisable to clean once a week.
Cleaning the chicken coop is not a simple activity: How to clean it?
For a thorough and effective cleaning it is necessary to obtain a pressure washer (or a steam pressure washer for a greater disinfectant action). In addition, other products such as natural pesticides or other commercial disinfection products may be useful.
If you choose to use commercial chemical pesticides, however, remember to pay attention to the period of "sanitary vacuum": to preserve the health of the hens for at least 2 weeks, the chicken coop must remain empty in such a way as to allow the recirculation of air to eliminate the harmful effects of chemicals.
It is therefore very important to keep in mind that and cleaning the chicken coop has an impact on health of our chickens, and we are responsible for it. A well cleaned chicken coop guarantees a healthy life for the animals, while a dirty chicken coop generates disease. It is therefore the responsibility of us breeders to be concerned in the way correct maintenance of our hen-house.
The red mite problem for chickens
Red mites are tiny parasites that feed on the blood of your hens, turn red, and lay thousands of eggs. Unfortunately, it is not possible to see red mites without magnification, so it is difficult to tell if they are present until they have already caused damage. If you suspect that your chicken coop is infected with red mites, use these tips to get rid of them.
They live in the soil and on the ground around the chicken coop, as well as in its cracks and crevices, they can be brought into the barn by wild birds, cats and dogs. Red mites can also be brought into the barn by rodents such as mice and rats that frequent chicken coops.
These parasites can cause intense itching and scratching in chickens. They are too small to be seen without a magnification on their skin, but if your chickens have been bitten you may notice severe loss of appetite, lethargy and depression.
One of the first signs you notice is the presence of red mite eggs on the stable floor or perches. If you notice signs of an infestation in the barn environment (litter, feeders), it is best to intervene before they move to your chickens!
How to get rid of parasites
For the treatment of red mites it is necessary to use a product that is safe for chickens. Many over-the-counter sprays are unsuitable for chickens and could make them sick. Talk to your vet to find out which products are safe for birds before buying one yourself.
Once you have chosen a safe product for your flock, spray the coop and pen thoroughly following the instructions provided by the product manufacturer. If possible, move away from this space once treated, so that other animals do not get sick if they come into contact with the residual insecticides left after spraying.
But we know that prevention is better than cure!
It is recommended to regularly clean the barn and use an anti-mite powder, but first of all, you have to choose the right chicken coop. This is why Cucciolotta makes its houses with the highest quality materials, to ensure the safety of your feathered friends. Our chicken coops are in HPL laminate, a layered material that does not deteriorate over time, avoiding the creation of cracks in which mites can proliferate. It is also easy to keep it clean, unlike wood, which requires special treatments. So what are you waiting for? Go take a look at our catalog and discover all the advantages of our Polly Duplex chicken coop.
