Spruce the Coop for Summer - 5 Things to Do Now

Spring is heating up and summer is just around the corner! Hens are laying and going broody, and insect populations are on the rise. So now is the time to prep the coop and run for the long, hot summer days. A little work now boosts flock health, reduces pests and supports production throughout the laying season. Here are 5 jobs to do now, to make sure your coop is summer-ready!

1. Deep Clean the Coop

Winter leads to a build-up of dust, dander, spider webs and lingering moisture. And even if you already spring-cleaned the coop, summer will see an increase in pests, parasites and pathogens. A proper deep clean before summer can reduce insect pests like ants and flies, as well as parasites like mites, worms and coccidia.

What to do:

To deep clean the coop

1. 1. Remove all bedding, nesting material and debris
   2. Scrape perches, corners and crevices – mites love these hideouts!
   3. Wash with warm soapy water and rinse well
   4. Allow to dry completely
   5. Disinfect with Virkon-S to kill diseases
   6. Spray with Coopex insecticide to prevent pests and parasites like mites, lice and ticks. Treat roosts and cracks in nesting boxes particularly well
   7. Remove feeders and drinkers and wash with warm soapy water, before rinsing well and allowing to dry
   8. Once the coop is fully dry, replace feeders and drinkers, and add fresh bedding and nesting material

Why it matters:

A clean start helps to prevent ammonia build-up, mite outbreaks and poultry diseases, all common problems as temperature rises.

2. Get Summer Sun Ready

Chickens suffer in the heat, so get ready to provide proper deep shade and cool water to keep your birds healthy in the heat.

What to do:

Beef up the shade options in your coop. Deep shade is the coolest and generally requires several layers of protection, whether that’s a well-insulated roof, several levels of plants or even 90-95 % shade cloth over a section of the chicken run! We have a bunch of easy, DIY shade ideas here on the blog.

Make sure your chickens have access to water in the shadiest part of the coop. If your birds have to walk through the hot sun to reach the drinker, they will drink less and suffer more from the heat. It can even lead to heat stress! So install a second drinker wherever your birds spend the hottest part of the day.

Keep the water cool. Putting the waterer in deep shade may be enough, but many chicken keepers add ice bricks to their chicken waterer on the hottest days. Chickens drink more when the water is cool and fresh, and this helps to prevent heat stress.

Why it matters:

Anything above 29 degrees Celsius can cause heat stress for chickens. And heat stress leads to decreased laying and other health issues. Providing deep shade and plenty of cool water will help your chickens survive and thrive in the hot summer temperatures! 

3. Improve Ventilation in the Coop

Good airflow in the coop prevents moisture and ammonia build-up. As weather warms, this becomes even more important for hygiene and disease prevention.

If the coop feels stuffy during the day, there are constantly damp corners or there is a musty smell even after cleaning, ventilation needs to be increased.

What to do:

• Make sure vents and windows are not covered by winter wind blocks
• Clean dust from mesh, screens and wire
• Check that fresh air can enter from one side of the coop and escape from another for cross-ventilation
• Add additional windows or vents if needed, making sure they are predator-proof
• Make sure water isn’t seeping in through the coop floor

Why it matters:

Better airflow helps to keep the coop cooler and prevents the build-up of ammonia and humidity, which can cause respiratory issues. A dry, well-ventilated coop also prevents disease from spreading in your flock. It smells better too!

4. Deal with Drainage

Summer is the rainy season in many parts of Australia, and even a short downpour can turn the chicken run into a muddy swamp. If you think your chicken run may need a drainage upgrade, now is the time to act before summer rains set in.

What to do:

Start by identifying low spots where water pools after rain, as well as any drainage lines where water runs through the chicken run.

• In low spots, add coarse material such as gravel, road base, coarse sand or, at a pinch, wood chip mulch, to raise and level these areas. This will stop water from pooling.
• Redirect run off from the coop and run, using drains or berms.
• Run off can also come from the coop roof, so install gutters and downpipes to ensure the water is redirected out of the coop and run.
• If the run is particularly soggy, consider installing ag pipe drains to keep it dry and top muddy areas with mulch or woodchip.

Why it matters:

Wet, muddy chicken runs and damp coops are breeding grounds for coccidiosis, worms and other chicken diseases. And muddy puddles are a tempting water source for chickens that can transmit disease. Keeping the coop and run dry is essential to keep your flock healthy in wet weather. And they’ll be happier too!

5. Boost Nutrients for Summer

Summer is the laying season for most chicken breeds, and hens need good nutrition to support egg production. But as temperatures climb, heat stress and reduced appetite can impact health and productivity. You can help your hens maintain production through summer by boosting nutrition.

What to do:

• Make sure your hens are on a complete layer feed and have access to shell grit at all times
• If offering treats, focus on high-protein options like Dried Insects and nutrient-rich leafy greens
• Provide extra minerals with a supplement like Mega Mineral
• Consider adding fennel seed to your chicken’s diet, as studies suggest it can help chickens remain healthy and productive during heat stress

Why it matters:

A nutrient boost before summer will help hens maintain production and strengthen their immune system, improving health and their ability to cope with the heat. 

Conclusions

A little preparation now will make a huge difference once summer heat sets in. By deep-cleaning the coop, improving shade and airflow, fixing drainage issues and supporting your hens’ nutrition, you are giving your flock the best possible chance to stay healthy and productive through the season.

Getting ready for summer? These other blog posts might help:

• DIY Shade for the Chicken Run
• How to Keep Chickens Cool in a Heatwave
• Keeping Chickens Healthy in Wet Weather
• Preventing a Muddy Chicken Run
• How to Control Flies in the Chicken Coop

Happy Chicken Keeping!

Rachael at Dine-A-Chook Australia