Clean-Up Time!

Now that Fall is officially here, it's a good time to clean out and around your coop.

 Take out all the old hay or straw and give the inside of the coop a good scrubbing. Check to see if there are any loose floorboards, nails that need hammering down, holes to repair or missing roof shingles. Scrub the roosting bar, too. All the crusted on poopies must go! Replace with fresh bedding after everything has dried.

If you store your feed in a barn or shed, or even in the garage, make sure you invest in a metal garbage can with a tight fitting lid. Rodents will eat right through the plastic ones - even the Rubbermaid containers.

 Also, get rid of anything that could bring mice or rats. They are looking for places to keep warm that have a supply of food handy. Coyotes and raccoons can smell food and you definitely don't want them hanging around either!

Clear all the leaves around the coop, too. A lot of mice can hide in a pile of leaves.

I know it's a pain, but try to rake up any uneaten food after you put your chickens in for the night. You don't want visits from mice or other rodents. Once they know where they can get food, it will be harder to get rid of them. Plus you don't want your chickens eating mouse droppings.

A few hours cleaning on a nice autumn day is good for both you and your flock.You get to be outside and burn up a few calories and your hens get a nice clean, well maintained, safe coop!

And just think - you won't have to do it when it's freezing cold out there!