So You Got the Coop, Now What to Do With the Poop?

Guest Post By Ashlie – Roost66

Instagram: @ashlie.laine (view the original reel)

So you got the coop, now what to do with the poop? Let's BAWK about it!

Don't let cleaning the coop and run intimidate you. It can look like a lot, but sometimes the hardest part is figuring out what to do with all that waste and old bedding.

Chicken keepers manage their coops in many different ways, and eventually, you have to figure out what works best for your own setup. To help you navigate coop cleanup, here are a few practical paths you can take:

• The Quick Toss: You can simply toss it in the garbage. Yep, it's that easy! There's no chicken law saying every scrap MUST be reused or upcycled.
• The Composting Route: If you're interested in composting, set aside a designated spot or use a compost container for your chicken waste and old bedding. Add other compostable materials as needed, keep the pile appropriately moist, and turn it regularly to help everything break down. Once fully decomposed and cured, it makes a wonderful addition to your garden soil!

A Quick Safety Reminder on Manure: Please don't add fresh chicken waste directly to your plants or garden beds. Chicken manure is high in nitrogen and can damage plants, and fresh manure can carry harmful pathogens. Give it time to compost and cure properly before putting it to work in your garden.

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I’m Ashlie, an Arizona-based chicken-keeping, homeschooling mom and content creator (find me on Instagram and TikTok) From Roost66, I share the real-life chaos of backyard chickens, gardening, homesteading, family, and faith, with a mix of practical flock-care tips, humor, and plenty of chicken shenanigans. When I’m not creating, I’m usually reading, gardening, or spoiling my flock.