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Keeping chickens on our little farm is one of my favorite things! Which means I know firsthand how quickly a chicken coop can become smelly and unpleasant. Fortunately, with a little bit of effort, it’s possible to keep your coop smelling fresh and clean. Here are five tips that work well for me:

1. Clean the coop regularly: I remove the water spot every day as the ducks make a bit of a mess and add small amounts of shavings in if needed. Once a week I remove all the bedding in the coop, sweep the floor and sprinkle first Saturday lime! First Saturday lime is great for helping to keep the coop smelling fresh and bugs out. I’m a bit obsessed with making sure the coop stays as clean as possible for our girls!
A good practice is to wear gloves and a mask to avoid inhaling any dust or bacteria while you are cleaning.

2. Using the right bedding: Choosing the right bedding is important when it comes to keeping your chicken coop smelling fresh. I’ve found that using pine shavings works the best for us, as they absorb moisture and odors.

3. Provide proper ventilation: Making sure there is good ventilation is key to keeping your coop smelling fresh and keeping your flock healthy. Make sure there are plenty of windows or vents to allow fresh air to circulate. However, be sure to avoid drafts, especially in winter.

4. Use natural odor-absorbing materials: There are a number of natural materials that can help absorb odors in your chicken coop. For example, you can sprinkle baking soda or first Saturday lime (what we use) on the coop floor. You can also hang bags of dried lavender or eucalyptus around the inside of the coop which will help make it smell nice.

5. Keep the area around the coop clean: It’s important to keep the area around the coop clean as well. Remove any spilled food or water, and make sure there are no piles of leaves or other debris nearby that could contribute to odors each day I rake in front of the doors where some of the bedding has fallen out.

You can also add a few drops of essential oils like peppermint or lemongrass to the coop to help keep bugs out. Also providing your chickens with plenty of space to move around, fresh food and water, and daily access access to the outdoors will also reduce the order in the coop.

By following these five tips, you can keep your chicken coop smelling fresh and clean, making it an inviting environment for both you and your flock!

I hope you found this article helpful! Be sure to check out my other chicken-related articles!
A Beginners Guide To Raising Baby Chicks
The Ultimate Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy Backyard Chickens
The Benefit of Feeding Egg Shells To Your Chickens