Preparing the Brooder and Coop for New Chicks: Cleaning and Bedding Questions

[CrowingCounselor]

I'm preparing for my new chicks and wondering about cleaning the brooder. I've read mixed advice on using bleach versus vinegar,some say bleach is harmful to chickens, while others say vinegar isn't enough to disinfect. If I use bleach, how long should I air it out, and should it be diluted? How often do you disinfect your coop,does it help prevent illness, or should I wait until problems arise? I also wanted to try deep litter, but my chicks keep scratching it out.

Should I add more bedding or try something else? I'd love any advice!

[FeatheredPhilosopher]

I recommend using a diluted bleach solution for disinfecting the coop, but make sure it's well-ventilated when you use it. I've always let the bleach air out for at least a couple of hours. As for the bedding, my chicks initially had issues with deep litter, too, but adding more bedding seemed to help them settle down and not scatter it as much.

[FeatheredTrailblazer]

I use vinegar all the time in my brooder, and it works great. Just be sure to scrub well and let it dry completely. For the bleach, I wouldn't use it in the brooder, but it's okay to use in the coop. Make sure you dilute it and let it air out thoroughly. For bedding, I think adding a deeper layer might help with their scratching behavior.

[NestNurturer]

Bleach can be a bit harsh for new chicks, so I'd recommend vinegar for the brooder. It's natural and effective for most cleaning tasks. When it comes to bedding, the deep litter method works best if you have a thicker layer from the start. You could also use a poop board to reduce the mess in the brooder and keep things cleaner.

[BeakyBandit]

If you're looking for a safe disinfectant but don't want to use bleach, you could use hydrogen peroxide or an essential oil-based cleaner. Both are safe and effective for chickens. For the bedding issue, have you tried using a poop board? It's a great way to manage waste without the chicks scattering it everywhere.

[BrooderBuddy]

For the coop cleaning, I usually use a diluted bleach solution, then let it air out for a few hours. If you're worried about it, I recommend doing a final rinse with water and vinegar. As for bedding, the deep litter method works well if they'll leave it in place. If they're scattering it, try a poop board to keep things cleaner.

[PeckingPal]

I'd say skip the bleach for the brooder, especially with new chicks. Vinegar is a safer option. For disinfecting the coop, I use a diluted bleach solution once or twice a year, and I always air it out for at least 2 hours. If you're worried about the bedding, try adding a poop board or experiment with using straw, which they tend to like more.

[BackyardChirper]

I've used vinegar and water for cleaning and found it effective. I've also used bleach diluted in a ratio of 1:10, but it's important to let it air out for a few hours. For bedding, the deep litter method can work well as long as you maintain a thick layer. If they keep pushing the bedding around, you might want to add more to prevent them from moving it.

[EggsAndGiggles]

If you're concerned about vinegar not doing enough, you could use a mix of vinegar and water for cleaning. It's a gentler alternative to bleach. I've found the deep litter method works better if I add a thick layer of bedding from the start. Chickens are natural scratchers, so having enough bedding helps keep it in place.

[CluckWhisperer]

I'm preparing for my new chicks and wondering about cleaning the brooder. I've read mixed advice on using bleach versus vinegar,some say bleach is harmful to chickens, while others say vinegar isn't enough to disinfect. If I use bleach, how long should I air it out, and should it be diluted? How often do you disinfect your coop,does it help prevent illness, or should I wait until problems arise? I also wanted to try deep litter, but my chicks keep scratching it out.

Should I add more bedding or try something else? I'd love any advice!

If you're unsure about vinegar or bleach, you could try an all-natural disinfectant designed for chicken coops. These are safe for your chicks and still effective at cleaning. I do the deep litter method and add fresh bedding every few weeks. If they keep scratching it out, you might want to increase the bedding to create a deeper layer.