Autumn is Here! It was a chilly 35 degrees the other morning but the fall colors bring beauty to the gray sky!
With autumn here, preparing for the winter is exciting. Cleaning my chicken coops out with essential oils and water was a new task on my list this fall.
I like to use DoTerra Essential Oil, from my friend Janel Ecker. You can also purchase from her at https://www.doterra.com/US/en/site/pondera
I have 2 portable coops that have attached runs. To clean, I opened up the large door into the coop, pulled out the nesting boxes and moved my trays that catch the poop. Each nesting box was washed and set to dry. I was then able to reach into the coop with a garden hose that has a spray nozzle attached. I first power washed off as much poop as I could and then sprayed the inside with my homemade, economical, and safe essential oil spray.
I then resprayed with water and let the sun dry everything out as much as is possible here in western Washington. Replacement of the nesting boxes followed. (The reason I have chickens!!) 🙂
Too much essential oils can cause respiratory issues for the chickens so do be careful and make sure the ventilation is great!
Chicken Coop Spray Recipe
- 1 32 oz. spray bottle
- 1 cup vinegar, either white or apple cider
- water to fill the bottle
- 10 drops of Lemon oil
- 10 drops of Tea Tree Oil
- 5 drops of Lavendar Oil
- Mix and use immediately!
Clean environments mean healthier chickens and delicious eggs!
–Deena