On the homestead, few chores are as rewarding—or as smelly—as cleaning the duck and goose coop. While it’s not the most glamorous task, a clean coop is essential for the health of our birds and the sanity of those of us taking care of them. Today, I want to walk you through how we tackle this job here at G’s Homestead.
Why Clean the Coop?
Waterfowl are wonderful, but let’s be honest—they’re messy and get stinky FAST. Ducks and geese love water, and wherever they find it, they’ll splash, soak, and spread it with joy (and mud). That moisture, combined with poop and straw, can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and ammonia buildup if left unchecked.
A regular coop cleaning:
- Keeps respiratory issues at bay
- Reduces fly and parasite problems
- Makes for happier, healthier birds
- Helps you spot any early signs of illness or injury
Our Coop Cleaning Routine
We try to do a deep clean every few weeks, with spot cleanings in between. Here’s what our deep clean looks like:
1. Evacuate the Waddlers
First things first—we usher the ducks and geese out into their run or temporary pen. This gives them time to roam, graze, and preen while we work.
2. Remove Old Bedding
Armed with a shovel and a hoe, we scoop out the old straw and bedding. It’s heavy and often soggy, so this part doubles as a leg workout. We pile the old bedding into a compost area where it’ll break down into rich material for the garden later.
3. Scrape & Sweep
Next, we scrape down the floors and low walls, removing any caked-on mess. Then we sweep the whole area out with a stiff-bristled broom. If the area is soaking wet, we will put down some pine shavings to soak it up and then, scoop that up, too.
4. Wash & Disinfect (Optional)
When needed, we hose the coop out and scrub the floor with a homemade vinegar-based solution. We avoid harsh chemicals, especially since ducks and geese are so sensitive to smells and residues.
5. Dry It Out
We open the doors and windows to let everything dry completely. Good ventilation is key to keeping future moisture problems down.
6. Fresh Bedding Time
Once it’s dry, we lay down a thick layer of clean straw or pine shavings. Straw works great for waterfowl since it allows moisture to wick away and stays relatively warm.
7. Restock Food & Water
We rinse out waterers and feeders, refill them, and place them on slightly elevated platforms to minimize splashing (though they still find a way!).
8. Reintroduce the Flock
With fresh bedding and clean feeders, the birds happily waddle back in like it’s a five-star hotel. We swear we can see them smiling.
Tips for Easier Coop Cleaning
- Deep litter method: If you live in a colder climate, you can try the deep litter method to reduce winter cleaning frequency.
- Rubber floor mats: These make scraping easier and help prevent dampness from settling into wooden floors.
- Compost pile magic: All that straw and droppings make for fantastic compost when managed properly—just give it time to break down.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning the duck and goose coop may not be the most fun part of homesteading, but it’s one of the most important. Healthy birds mean happy mornings with fresh eggs (eventually!) and silly waddles in the yard. And honestly? There’s something therapeutic about the rhythm of it all.
Have any favorite coop-cleaning hacks? Drop them in the comments or message me on our Facebook page—I love hearing how other homesteaders make this messy job more manageable.
Leave a Reply