Step by Step Instructions on Cleaning Coop & Cubbies

[Trees Gray]

You will need:

A. Good germicide or other antibacterial/antifungul/viral
B. Paloma or other floor dressing.
C. Large Scraper & small Scraper
D. Dust pan and hand broom or brush
E. Large 48 gallon or smaller, trash can with liner.
F. 2 brooms, one for sweeping up poop & one to sweep and distribute dressing.
G. Anti-sect 2000/ and or perch oil

An average loft should be scraped and dissinfected every day or every two days, depending on how many birds you have and how large the coop is.

I have about 40 pigeons in one large coop and we scrape every other day, unless the birds stay indoors more and don't go out in the aviary, then it is everyday. I have a smaller coop with only 7 birds which I need clean only every 4 days.

1. Put all your birds in the aviary, another room, or if they are out flying-that is best time to clean.

2. Get a big trash can with liner and bring in coop, we have a trash can just for pijjie poop, as well as a broom, dust pan and hand brush, scraper and small scraper. I also have an extra broom for sweeping the Paloma into the floor. This keeps the germs confined to the coop and only.

3.Clean and sweep out all cubbies or perches using germicide afterward. Scrape then brush into a trash can or dust pan. A small scraper and brush work well for this. We use Antisect 2000 once in awhile to spray cubbies down to kill any bugs that get into the cracks of the wood. We let the cubbies dry and then line them with newspaper.
You can also spray the perches, and use "perch oil" which will kill any bugs in the carcks of wooden perches. Make sure they dry completely before allowing the birds access.

4. Next the floor: We use a big scraper first, to scrape out poop. We often spray the coop with an excellent germicide first, (that kills every known bacteria, virus, fungus from A to Z). This keeps the dust from rising when scraping. Use a small scraper to get in the cracks and corners where the big one can't go.Scoop all the poop into the trash can using a dust pan, set trash can just outside of the door.

5. Next, sweep the floor with a broom, you may want to spray again with germicide to keep the dust down, use sparingly. Use hand broom to gather dust and remains in corners and pick it all up with dust pan, and dump into trash can.

6. Spray clean floor with germicide and allow to dry.

7. Sprinkle Paloma or other dressing lightly onto the floor. Use another broom to distribute and sweep the powder or Paloma into the floor cover entire floor. You don't want to use too much, just enough to cover the floor. This kills any left over germs that might be left behind, as well as goes into the cracks of the plywood to reduce any contaminents. It is also wonderful to dry up the floor quickly if there is any dampness due to rain driven in by wind, like hurricanes. It is an excellent health/preventive measure to use.

8. Clean up the trash, tie the trass liner up tightly and remove from trash from can and put out for trash as soon as you can. Clean out the trash can and put a clean plastic trash bag in it for next time, set asside. Wash off the brooms scrapers and dust pan and dissinfect it all, allow it to sun dry.

Different type floors may require different cleaning strategies, this works well for me and my birds, they are never sick. But the prevention thread:

http:www.pigeons.biz/forums/showthread.php?t=5760

is another very important component for keeping a healthy happy flock.

Next: will be cleaning out breeding cubbies.

[Trees Gray]

There is quite a bit of difference when cleaning the breeding cubbies, because there are babies in there. You can't remove the babies for too long a period of time, depending on their age, because the parents will not be happy, we also can't use any toxic chemicals on the floors in the breeding pen.

At about 5 days of age, when I can't stand the poop pile any longer, I will start cleaning about every day or every other day. Once it has been cleaned it isn't so bad after that.

You will need:

1. Clean nest bowl lined with clean paper towels or whatever type of nest material you use, and a big basket with handle and cover.

2. Small hand broom with soft bristle and dust pan.

3. Small hand scraper

4. Newspaper for nest box, paper towels, or Chux.

4. Disinfectent spray/ animal and pet friendly Nothing toxic


Follow these steps:

A. Pull the front off the nest box gently, set aside.

B. Gently lift babies out of the nest bowl and set them into the clean nest bowl. Put the bowl with babies inside the basket and cover with clean cloth, or light towel. If you have a safe place for them set them there. I usually have them within my sight but away from dust.

C. Now you have to work quickly. Pick up nest front & scrape the edges where poop has gathered into trash container or trash bag. Do this as far away from the babies as you can. Brush clean & spray front with disinfectent, and set out to dry.

D. Pull dirty newspapers or paper towels, chux out of Nest box, into trash can. Clean out thoroughly with hand brush, sweep all areas of cubby, sweeping dirt into dust pan and then out into trash bag.

E. Spray cubby lightly with disinfectant. Allow to dry. Replace with newspaper or paper towels, or Chux. Pick the babies up from the basket, in their nest bowl, return them to the nest box, and gently put the front back in.

F. Pick up all tools, trash bag, and dirty nest bowl and remove from breeding coop. Allow mom to go back to her babies. She will grump & fuss on her way back, complaining of the disruption but will be happy with her clean nest box and bowl. The more you make yourself available, the more they get used to the routine.

If it is cold and the babies are still as bare, you should bring them inside a warm house. If the poop isn't to bad yet and there is a health risk (cold weather), leave them with mom, don't clean unless you absolutely must.

As the babies grow older you can figure out their needs, when leaving the nest box. If they are walking around and it is warm, set them in an enclosed patio and allow them access to food and water. They will enjoy the time spent, while you are cleaning.

I have an old play pen that I set in the patio, it gives them some space yet keeps them confined.

G. Clean all utensils with disinfectent and wash. Clean the nest bowl that you replaced with clean one. disinfect it, wash it, and let it dry in the sun. Line it with nest material at the time of the next cleaning.

With babies it is most important to use the least invasive measures for cleaning and use a mild cleaner for the floor (also pet friendly)in the breeder coop. This area should be tranquil with no stress, as that is also indusive of raising (physical & emotional) healthy youngsters...and healthy, happy parents, as they are part of that equation.