Keeping a chicken run clean in 7 easy steps.

Everyone knows a chicken coop needs to be kept clean for chickens to stay healthy. 

But what about the run?

It's easy to forget that the outside space can harbour pests, bacteria and hidden risks, especially when life gets busy and everything looks fine on the surface.

And at a time when Avian Influenza (bird flu) continues to spread across the world, keeping your chickens' outdoor space clean and safe matters more than ever.

So what actually needs to be done?

How often should the run be cleaned?

There isn’t a single "right” answer". It depends on your setup, your weather, and how many chickens you keep.

As a general guide, it's a good idea to do a more thorough clean a couple of times a year, and to step things up whenever there's a higher risk of disease, for example during periods when Avian Influenza (bird flu) is circulating.

But in reality, what matters most is regular, small maintenance.

If your chickens have been confined for any length of time, whether because of bad weather or housing restrictions, you'll need to be more vigilant. A build-up of droppings, damp bedding and leftover feed can quickly create the perfect environment for bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Keeping an eye on conditions, and acting early, will always make life easier than leaving it too long.

My rule of thumb: if it smells, feels muddy underfoot, or just looks messy, it's time.

Bird flu (avian influenza) and the chicken run.

Step 1: Make your run less attractive to waterfowl.

Because bird flu is most often spread by migrating waterfowl, it makes sense to make your run, and any nearby areas, as unattractive to them as possible.

Birds such as ducks, geese and swans are drawn to even small amounts of water. So if your run includes any standing water, or is close to a pond or stream, the risk to your chickens increases.

I learned this the hard way. Even something as simple as an uncovered pool can quickly become an invitation!

How to keep a chicken run safe from waterfowl.

• Cover ponds or small pools with netting so birds can't land.
• Fence off natural water sources such as streams, canals or boggy areas. Something like this portable mesh fencing is ideal.
• Improve drainage to remove standing water where possible.
• Regularly check your run boundaries and repair any gaps in mesh or fencing.

A covered, enclosed run is the simplest and most effective way to prevent contact between your chickens and wild waterfowl.

Step 2: Prevent wild birds accessing the run.

While many of us enjoy attracting wild birds into our gardens, it's important to keep a clear boundary between them and your chickens.

Wild birds, particularly crows, magpies and gulls, can spread disease through droppings and feathers. So the aim isn't to discourage them entirely, but to stop them sharing space with your flock.

Keeping a chicken run clean from wild bird contamination.

• Move wild bird feeders as far away from your chicken run as you can.
• Check for plants that may attract birds, such as berries or seed heads, and cover or manage them where possible.
• Hang seed blocks inside the coop or in sheltered areas where wild birds can't easily access them.
• Make sure your run is well covered with netting or wire to prevent birds getting in.

Measures used to deter birds of prey can often help reduce visits from other wild birds too.

Step 3: Don't turn your run into a fast food take-away!

Feeding your chickens outside using open feeders is one of the quickest ways to attract wild birds as well as rodents.

I learned this the hard way.

At one point, my coop and run ended up with three separate rats' nests. They treated the feeder like an open buffet, as did the wild birds.

Not only was I potentially attracting disease, they ate me out of house and home! It was an expensive lesson.

This is the feeder I used before I learned the hard way. 

How to keep food protected in the chicken run.

• Keep feeders and food containers securely covered, with lids that can't be knocked off.
• Clear up any spilled food, especially grain, every day.
• Store feed in rodent-proof containers.
• Consider using a treadle feeder, which only opens when a chicken stands on it.

A secure feeder doesn't just save money, it also helps reduce the risk of disease being brought into your run.

Step 4: Clean hard surfaces. 

Hard areas like concrete, paving or brick are often the easiest places to start when cleaning your run, because droppings and feathers are easy to see and remove.

They're also where harmful bacteria and viruses can linger if not cleaned regularly.

Be especially careful if an area hasn't been used for chickens for a while. Some viruses can survive for weeks, particularly in damp conditions⁽²⁾.

How to clean hard areas.

• Sweep away droppings, feathers and debris using a stiff brush.
• Wash the surface with water, then apply a suitable disinfectant.
• Choose a high quality disinfectant that is effective but safe to use around animals.
• Avoid letting contaminated water run into drains, streams or water sources.
• Keep disinfectants away from feeders and drinkers.

A regular clean of hard surfaces helps reduce the build-up of bacteria and keeps your run a safer place for your flock.

Step 5: Look after the ground.

It's easy to focus on feeders and shelters, but the condition of the ground in your run is just as important.

Over time, droppings, damp patches and leftover debris can build up, creating the perfect environment for harmful bacteria.

The good news is that simple, regular maintenance makes a big difference.

How to keep the ground clean and healthy.

• Deal with muddy or wet areas by improving drainage or sectioning them off. 
• Allow sunlight into the run where possible: it helps dry the ground and reduce bacteria.
• Keep grass short to discourage pests and prevent long strands being eaten.
• Regularly rake or turn over the surface to remove droppings, feathers and debris.
• Hose down heavily soiled areas if needed.

A well-managed run doesn't need to be spotless, but keeping on top of the basics will help prevent problems before they start.

Step 6: Keep shelters, dust baths and extras clean.

Chicken runs often include little extras that make life better for your flock: shelters for bad weather, dust baths for feather care, and sometimes toys or logs to keep them occupied.

But these welfare enhancers can also collect dirt, droppings and bacteria if they're not checked regularly.

How to keep these areas clean and safe.

• Clean out dust baths regularly, especially if they become contaminated with droppings.
• Cover dust baths at night or when your chickens are confined.
• Wash shelters, perches and other items with a suitable disinfectant.
• Use sloped roofs on shelters where possible to discourage wild birds from perching.
• Store toys and loose items in a covered container when not in use.

Step 7: Reduce the risk from people.

It's always fun to share your chickens with friends and family, especially children.

But it's worth remembering that people can unintentionally bring bacteria or disease into your run, particularly if they've recently been in contact with other birds or poultry.

A few simple precautions can make a big difference.

How to keep your chicken run clean.

• Limit access to your run during higher-risk periods, such as when bird flu is circulating.
• Avoid allowing visitors who have recently handled other poultry to enter your run.
• Provide a simple foot dip at the entrance using a suitable disinfectant.
• Consider keeping a separate pair of boots or shoes just for use in the run.
• Wash your hands after handling chickens or cleaning the coop and run.

It doesn’t need to feel complicated. Just a few good habits will help protect your flock.

Other pages you may find helpful.

Sources.

A lot of "facts" you'll find on the internet are often people's individual views, based on inaccurate information repeated from poor quality sources.

The information I provide in this article and others is based not just on my own experience, but on evidenced facts from scientific, peer-reviewed research and books from highly respected and experienced poultry keepers such as Gail Damerow.

Some of the trusted sources I have used in this article are these.

1. UK Governments: How to prepare for when your free-range birds can be let outside again. Pub. Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), 2022.

2. Cleveland clinic: E.coli infection. Pub. 2020.

3.  RSPCA: Best environment for keeping pet chickens. Pub. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 2022. 

4. Crippen, T. et al: How Management Practices Within a Poultry House During Successive Flock Rotations Change the Structure of the Soil Microbiome. Pub. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2019.