How to Clean a Chicken Coop in Spring

Each spring at Garden Gate Farms, I walk the farm and take stock of what needs attention. The lavender begins to push new growth, the trees show their first leaves, and the hens spend longer hours outdoors. This is when I clean out the chicken coop.

A thorough spring clean protects the flock’s health and supports consistent egg production. It matters every year, but it is especially important if you use the Deep Litter Method through winter.

Deep Litter Method

The Deep Litter Method is a bedding system where manure and bedding are allowed to build up over time instead of being removed weekly. Dry materials such as pine shavings or straw are added regularly. As the hens scratch, they mix manure into the bedding. Microorganisms gradually break it down, creating mild composting action that can produce a small amount of warmth during colder months.

When managed correctly, it controls odor and reduces how often the coop needs to be fully cleaned. The bedding must stay dry, and fresh material should be added before it becomes packed down or damp. By early spring, the accumulated litter has reached the end of its cycle. That is the time to remove it completely. Removing Old Bedding

I shovel out all bedding down to the floor. With deep litter, this layer can be several inches thick. I pay close attention to corners, under roost bars, and around nesting boxes where droppings collect.

The used bedding goes straight to the compost pile. Once fully composted, it becomes a valuable soil amendment for trees and perennial plantings around the farm. Cleaning the Coop Thoroughly

With the coop empty, I sweep out loose debris and dust. Roost bars and nesting box edges are scraped clean. A stiff brush and warm water with a mild detergent handle most surfaces (I just use dish soap). I avoid strong chemicals inside the coop. Do not use bleach to clean the coop as it creates a toxic gas that is potentially deadly to humans and chickens. 

After washing, I allow the space to dry fully. Airflow and sunlight are important. A dry coop discourages mold and parasites. An Important Step Before New Bedding

Before spreading fresh bedding, I sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth across the floor and into corners and small cracks.

Diatomaceous Earth is a fine powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms called diatoms. The particles have microscopic sharp edges. For insects such as mites and lice, these edges damage their outer coating and cause them to lose moisture. Used correctly, it helps reduce external parasites in the coop. I apply a light, even layer on the clean, dry floor and add a small amount in nesting boxes and along roost supports. After that, fresh bedding goes in.

I have used Diatomaceous Earth every spring for years, especially after running the Deep Litter Method through winter. Beginning the season with a clean base and this added protection has worked well for our flock.

Adding Fresh Bedding

I use clean pine shavings for most of the coop. I usually do a 2 to 1 ratio of pine shavings to cedar shavings. They absorb moisture effectively and stay loose under the hens’ scratching. A generous layer goes on the floor, and nesting boxes are refreshed with new straw. From there, regular management continues. I monitor moisture, stir bedding when needed, and add fresh shavings during the year. Clean water, ventilation, and dry footing support flock health in practical ways.

Cleaning the coop in spring takes time, but it shapes the months that follow. Healthy hens lay better eggs. They move with energy. Their feathers stay smooth and full.

On a farm like ours, where lavender, trees, and animals share the same ground, everything connects. The compost from the coop feeds the soil. The soil feeds the plants. The plants feed the bees. Care given in one corner carries through the rest.

If you keep chickens, give your coop the time it deserves this spring. Remove the old bedding. Clean it well. Let it dry. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth. Add fresh bedding and begin again on clean footing. It is one of the simplest ways I know to care for a flock properly, and it never fails to pay back the effort.