Finding the right chicken coop cleaning supplies can be a chore in the beginning for new hobbyists. So many people struggle to find quality items that actually do the job properly. Don’t stress because I’m here to help you find what you need so you don’t waste your money. In this guide, we’ll look at some essential cleaning chicken coops cleaning supplies that will make your life easier. You and your chickens will be thanking me after!
If you like to learn how to clean your chicken coop, ready my easy guide.
Brush and Dustpan
One of the most important items you’ll need is a decent dustpan and brush. This is essential regardless of what type of coop you own. For larger coops, I recommend the excellent TreeLen Broom and Dustpan set because it’s extremely durable. It combines a metal handle with a polypropylene brush head that’s brilliant for all surfaces. One great feature is that the dustpan snaps shut, so you don’t need to worry about spilling chicken droppings, sawdust, or bedding everywhere. Furthermore, it has a built-in scraper, which is brilliant if dry chicken poo sticks to the floor!
If you’ve got a smaller coop with just a couple of chickens, this may be too much brush for the job. That’s why I also like this O-Cedar Pet Pro Broom because it has a double-bristle design that’s perfect for picking up waste.
Protective Apparel
Personal hygiene is crucial when cleaning your chickens. Firstly, there’s the dirty droppings and bedding. Rodents may enter the coop at night, too. Then you’re also going to be handling disinfectants and soaps that can provoke allergic reactions. That’s why I always advise wearing PPE to stay on the safe side.
Check out this Personal Protection Kit because it’s got everything you need for a very reasonable price. Each kit includes a pair of gloves, a disposable mask, a hand cleansing gel wipe, and individually wrapped cleansing wipes. You can get a pack of 10 for a few dollars, which is a decent value if you’re just cleaning your coop once a week.
Drill cleaning Attachments
If you’re like me, you don’t want to spend your life scrubbing your chicken coop. Personally, I want to make life as easy as possible so I can actually enjoy caring for my flock. Trust me, cordless drill brush attachments are a game-changer because they remove the need for elbow grease when cleaning after your birds.
This Drillbrush cleaning attachment set is ideal because it has three different, versatile heads. You’ll be able to reach every corner of your coop with ease. They’re universal, so they’ll fit every cordless drill, and the best thing is they have no-scratch nylon bristles. If you’ve spent time painting your coop, it won’t scratch your hard work! There’s no more need for elbow grease if you’re using this excellent set.
Soap
Many inexperienced hobbyists think that a specialized chicken coop cleaner is enough to do the job properly. But they don’t realize that soap is crucial for fat removal. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it should be an unscented dish soap. Scented soaps may irritate your chickens’ eyes and cause allergic reactions. I like Molly’s Suds Liquid Dish Soap because it is cruelty-free and it only contains natural ingredients. It has a mild pH but enough to cut through the fat and dirt in your coop!
Scraper Or Putty Knife
Anybody who has ever kept chickens knows that a good scraper or putty knife is essential to clean their coop properly. Chicken feces dry out and stick to hard surfaces. Sometimes you need to scrape it off hard surfaces to remove it completely. This five-piece set is ideal for all hobbyists and is very reasonable. You can use the larger putty knives to remove bigger chunks, while there are smaller scrapers for those harder-to-reach corners.
Special Chicken Coop Cleaner
There are many chicken coop cleaners on the market. Most of these contain a mix of cleaning agents, disinfectants, and deodorizers. They also target chicken parasites like red mites. Let’s look at three of the most popular now.
Coop Poop Buster Chicken Coop Cleaner
This chicken coop cleaner from Coop Poop Buster is an outstanding product. It’s very easy to store because it contains a 2-gallon mix in a 16-oz bottle. This cleaner is safe for use around chickens, chicks, and other livestock. They only use plant extracts, and it doesn’t even matter if you spray their food or water.
Pros: Excellent value and easy to store. Contains disinfectant.
Cons: Need to dilute the cleaner before using it.
Absolutely Clean Chicken Coop Cleaner and Deodorizer (1G)
There’s no doubt that Absolutely Clean has made one of the best chicken coop cleaners on the market today. It’s got everything you need, including cleaning agents, disinfectant, and a deodorizer to remove bad smells. Furthermore, it’s veterinary-approved, so you can guarantee that it’s safe to use for your chickens.
Pros: One of the best all-around chicken coop cleaners.
Cons: There are more powerful cleaners on the market.
Microbe-Lift Chicken Coop and Deodorizer (1G)
Another very popular product, Microbe-Lift, has made this very easy to use. You can simply spray all surfaces without any need to dilute it. It’s one of the top-rated odor-reducers and reportedly reduces red mite and fungal intrusion in coops.
Pros: very easy to use.
Cons: Some customers complain that the spray breaks easily. Also, it may be less effective at fat removal.
High Pressure Washer
Like most people, I didn’t sign up to scrub walls and floors with a sponge and a bucket of water when I first got my chickens. But this will be your reality unless you’re willing to invest in a high-pressure cleaner. Yes, it’s a pricy bit of kit, but it will last you for a lifetime if you care for it properly.
Meanwhile, you don’t have to just use it for your chicken coop. You’ll be able to clean your car, your windows, garden furniture, and your drains with ease. Once you have a high-pressure cleaner, you’ll never look back. This Karcher High Pressure Washer is CETA certified and has a powerful 1700 PSI. It has an on-off foot switch, so it’s very easy for everyone to use. This power washer is also very maneuverable across all terrains..
Chicken Coop Cleaning Kit
Some hobbyists may prefer to simplify things and just opt for a chicken coop cleaning kit. The advantage of these is that they contain most of the tools you need to clean after your birds. However, it’s worth noting that the quality can vary. This KUAILEZAI Chicken Coop Cleaning Kit has a poop scooper with a detachable handle with different heads. You can scoop, scrape, and scrub with the varying options.
Personally, I prefer a good old-fashioned scraper, but this is fine for smaller coops with just a couple of birds and less surface area. This kit includes a pair of durable gloves for added hygiene.
Bedding for Chickens
Once you finish cleaning the coop, you’ll need to change the bedding. There are many materials available. I personally love hemp because it’s so absorbent and naturally antibacterial. However, pine is a good alternative and is a wonderful deodorizer. Hemp Hurd produces an excellent 18lb hemp bedding for chickens. They say it absorbs up to 400% of its weight in moisture and is ideal for livestock with sensitive respiratory systems. Most importantly, it’s also very comfortable for your birds and easy to clean.
Another option is pine shavings from Small Pet Select. It’s not quite as absorbent as the hemp version, but it is 99% dust–free. Pine shavings are also a fantastic compost for your garden, which is great if you’re growing vegetables!
Wheelbarrow
You’re going to have to do something with all of that waste from your chicken coop. If you’ve got a small set-up, a bucket might do the job. But anyone with five or more birds will probably need a wheelbarrow. Sure, you could probably pick up a basic one at your local garden depot, and it will serve the purpose.
However, if you want something a bit special, consider the VEVOR 4 Poly Garden Cart Dump Wagon. What I love about this is that most people can use it easily because you pull it rather than push it. You can also load all your supplies onto the cart to save time. Meanwhile, it has a special release system so you don’t need to break your back trying to empty it. It’s rugged and dependable, so it should last you for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your chicken coop doesn’t have to be a nightmare if you have the right cleaning supplies. Most of the equipment I mentioned above, including wheelbarrows, high-pressure cleaners, and even your brush and dust pan, will last a lifetime. Remember, it’s always advisable to pay for quality when possible because it’s less likely to let you down. If you want to know all about chicken coops and supplies or even how to get started on your hen-keeping journey, I’m always here to help!
