Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hi everyone,

I’m getting ready to bring in a new flock to my coop, but I want to make sure it’s clean and safe for them first. The previous flock left a bit of a mess, and I’m worried about lingering bacteria or parasites.

What’s the best way to deep clean and sanitize the coop? Are there specific products you recommend that are safe to use around chickens? Also, how do I handle areas like wooden perches or nesting boxes that might have absorbed odors or pathogens?

I’d love to hear your tips and any steps you take to prepare your coop for new birds. Thanks in advance!

When I clean my coop before adding a new flock, I always start by removing all bedding and scrubbing every surface with a mixture of warm water and white vinegar. Vinegar is great because it’s natural, safe, and effective at cutting through grime. For stubborn spots, I use a stiff brush.

After that, I spray everything down with a poultry-safe disinfectant like Oxine or Virkon S. Let it sit for the recommended time and then rinse thoroughly with clean water. For wooden surfaces, I make sure they’re completely dry before adding new bedding. It’s a bit of work, but it’s worth it to keep the new flock healthy!

I just went through this, and one thing I found helpful was using a handheld propane torch to sanitize the wooden roosts and any cracks in the coop. The heat kills bacteria, mites, and other pests that might be hiding in those spots. Just be careful not to burn the wood!

After that, I applied diatomaceous earth (food-grade) around the edges and in the cracks to help prevent pests from moving back in. For nesting boxes, I lined them with fresh straw and sprinkled some dried herbs like lavender and mint, they smell great and can deter pests. Good luck with your new flock!

Scrape and scrub wooden surfaces well, then torch lightly with a propane torch to kill anything lingering.

White vinegar and water make a great natural cleaner. Follow up with diatomaceous earth to handle parasites.

After cleaning, let the coop sit empty for a few days with good airflow-fresh air is a great sanitizer!

Replace anything too worn or absorbent, and consider sealing wooden perches with a non-toxic sealant.

Scrape and scrub wooden surfaces well, then torch lightly with a propane torch to kill anything lingering.

Use a diluted oxine or Virkon-S solution for deep sanitization. Sun-drying everything afterward helps too!