How I Keep My Chicken Coop Clean (Without Spending Every Weekend on It)
When I first started keeping chickens, I thought coop cleaning would be a never-ending chore (like washing dishes) of scrubbing, sweeping, hauling… and repeating far too often. But I quickly learned that with the right setup and routine, you can keep things fresh without it taking over your life.
Firstly, we free-range our flock here at The Harper Farmhouse. This means the coop stays cleaner for longer because the chickens spend most of their time in the yard. Add a few smart design choices, and my cleaning schedule is down to a quick scrape here, a refresh there, and a deep clean just a couple times a year.
Step 1: Build Smart for Easy Cleaning
When we built our coop, I put it on a very slight incline so rainwater naturally runs out. The coop sits directly on the dirt—no concrete floor, bricks, or anything else—so moisture drains and I can toss down fresh bedding without fuss.
That being said, I don’t think bricks would be a bad idea. In fact, I may add them eventually. They’d further predator-proof the coop and help reduce wetness even more, especially during those heavy Texas rains.
This little bit of planning makes a huge difference. No standing water, no swampy spots, and far less smell.
Step 2: Layer for Freshness
On the dirt floor, I add:
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) – Helps control mites and other pests naturally.
Agricultural Lime – Neutralizes odors and helps with moisture.
Pine Shavings – Absorbent, soft, and easy to replace.
I spread the Diatomaceous Earth and Lime in thin layers and then add a thick layer (about 2 inches) of pine shavings. The combo keeps the coop dry and smelling clean for months. I will toss in a bit more DE and lime on top, too.
Step 3: Use a “Poop Shelf”
Under the roosting bars, I installed what I affectionately call my “poop shelf.” This simple flat surface catches the bulk of the droppings at night, making cleanup a breeze.
Once a week (okay, sometimes every other week), I grab a scraper and clean the shelf into a bucket. This alone keeps the coop feeling fresh without having to strip out all the bedding constantly.
Step 4: Keep the Nesting Boxes Clean
One of the quickest ways for a coop (and eggs) to get messy is when chickens start sleeping in their nesting boxes. A sleeping chicken is a poo-ing chicken. No thanks!
Of course, if I find a poopy box, I clean it immediately and add new pine shavings.
To prevent: I give them plenty of roosting space. This is most important. They’ve got to have a place to sleep or they will opt for a box.
If I find a hen in a nesting box at night, I gently move her to a roost. I’ve only ever had an issue with one chicken demanding to sleep in her box (unless broody), but from what I understand, bad habits breed bad habits. I ended up locking her in the run (there are roosting bars in there, but no boxes) along with a couple others, so she wasn’t alone. She trained quickly to sleep on the roost and problem solved.
It’s a small thing, but it keeps the boxes cleaner, the eggs fresher, and my cleaning workload lighter.
Step 5: My Cleaning Schedule
Here’s my realistic routine:
Weekly: Scrape the poop shelf.
Every 3 Months: Refresh pine shavings, DE, and lime.
Every 6–9 Months: Full scrape-out. I shovel out all old bedding and debris and add fresh layers. I clean out the nest boxes completely
The biggest bit is simply that we free-range. The coop doesn’t build up mess as quickly as it would if the chickens were confined all day.
This method is low-maintenance, budget-friendly, and keeps the coop in good condition without spending hours each week cleaning. It also keeps the flock healthier. Dry bedding and good ventilation are the best defenses against parasites and respiratory issues.
Final Tip: If you’re building or renovating a coop, think about future you. Put in features like a slight slope, flooring and a poop shelf that make maintenance simple. Your weekends will thank you.
Do you have any additional tips? Share your wealth! Chicken-keeping is ever evolving!