Comments on: Tips On Keeping A Clean Chicken Coop

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:57:45 +0000

Tara, you might want to get the new book, Free-Range Chicken Gardens by Jessi Bloom, available on amazon.com. It is important to check your chickens for mites, from time to times. Mites can concentrate around their eyes, their vent where they lay, and sometimes under the scales of their legs and toes. Fleas are usually not a problem. Their is a Poultry Dusting Powder for parasites such as mites, available at most feed stores. Thanks for your comment…VintageGardenGal

By: tara rawlings

tara rawlings — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:42:50 +0000

hi I was wandering if there is any flowers ,plants I can put in my garden has my 4 have eaten everything in the garden including my lawn.I have now built them a pen to keep them in but miss letting them in the garden,They do have enough room in the pen but like to see them roaming also do I need to flea my chickens???I am new to this and am learning!! thank you

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:56:42 +0000

Jordanie, I use a tablespoon of bleach and dish soap for disinfecting my chicken watering cans when summer heat and algae start. I let the waterer sit for a while, and then throughly rinse three times, fill with clean fresh water once again. ACE Hardware has an orange-oil based disinfectant that is safe for poultry and pets, ask them. Also, your local feed store should carry products that they can recommend. Thanks for your comment…VintageGardenGal

By: Jordanie Poole

Jordanie Poole — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:55:38 +0000

Hi i was just wondering what is a good disinfectant that i could use that is animal safe to clean a chicken coop. Thank you

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:54:49 +0000

Yes, read my post on roosting bar and manure box, under my “Chicken” category on my homepage, left hand side bar.

By: Chickenmaniac

Chickenmaniac — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 07:33:58 +0000

Wow! I’m only eleven and my chicken coops a state and this website realy
Helps. Im going to clean out my chocken coop today
And when I do that I always put treats in for them but theres always
Still ckicken droppings on the floor any tips?

P.S. Your chicken coop is emense you obveusley love
Your chickens!!!

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:53:32 +0000

Ginger, the best coop is the one that works for you, and provides protection in a healthy environment for your chickens. I’m not familiar with the cube. Chickens do like windows–not drafts, space, a roosting bar. Thanks for your comments…VintageGardenGal

By: Ginger

Ginger — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 05:52:11 +0000

My city just changed the ordinance, allowing limited numbers of backyard hens. I’ve been devouring information, trying to learn as much as I can before bringing chicks home, but am struggling with the coop situation. I’m looking for a carpenter who can build a 12′ X 6″ run with predator protection all around (large pavers at all sides and 1/2″ hardware mesh on walls and overhead), a sand over dirt floor, and a metal roof. They’ll be allowed into the lawn and garden when I’m out there, but in the run otherwise. My dilemma is this: Eglu Cube with no windows or raised perch, but well insulated and so easy to clean, or wooden house with all the nice chicken features, but more mite prone and much more work for me. I live alone and work, so would rather spend my free time bonding with the girls and gardening than doing maintenance that’s not necessary. That said, if they’d be much happier in a wooden house, I’ll give it to them. Is it politically acceptable for you to give an opinion on the Cube?

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:45:05 +0000

Carmel, there is a poultry dust powder for mites, that you can get at your local feed store. Are they molting, dropping their feathers? Do you actually see mites?
If you have mites, you are going to have to throughly clean out your chicken coop. Clean out all of the bedding. There is an orange oil spray, which you can spray your inside chicken coop down with. ACE Hardware has it in a 5 gallon size with a nice spray nozzle included. Be careful to read all of the directions…VintageGardenGal

By: Carmel Jackson

Carmel Jackson — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:30:53 +0000

My chickens are continually picking at their feathers and loosing them. I am cleaning out regularly, can I soak the soil with disinfectant to kill any mites that the chickens may have? Also can I spray the chickens with anything? Thanks