Inherited chicken coop how to clean it..

[shadowdragon]

Long story, but ive swapped allotments to another site, and this has a shed converted to a chicken coop. Its quite nice with boxes that are easy accessed ect, the only problem is that its a dirty,  full of spider webs and im verymuch an acracnaphobic. Is there an easy way to remove these without a spider jumping on me, also would those smoke bombs help irradicate any unwanted creepy crawlies in there?

[shadowdragon]

[Barnowl]

http://www.therandomshop.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=251  ?

[terrier]

If you can get access to a pressure/power washer, that will take care of cleaning the structure and getting rid of any unwanted residents. You can then treat it with jeyes fluid at the recomended dose, dry it out and it will be ready for your chooks.

[shadowdragon]

Thanks for the replies  :)

Ive cleaned it by hand (wasnt fun with the aracnids but done now) i used a sulphure pot to ensure there wasnt any mould ect. I have disenfected it and its ready to go now i think  ;D

Going to give the hens free run of all the allotment let them do a bit of weeding for me i think  :o

[shadowdragon]

Update..

Got six hens yesterday afternoon, so they spent yesterday and last night in the coop...

let them out this morning, and did some work, they are very well behaved except one...shes a little sod!!!

She escaped into a neighbouring allotment (I thought I found and fixed all the escape routes lol) twice while i was there, then I went home for a couple of hours for my dinner. Went back at 7pm to do a bit more for an hour before putting them to bed...she was next door with my neighbours hens!!! OMG its like you see on the TV chasing them about trying to catch them...Im giggling about it now but wasnt funny at the time..shes a little minx!!!

[Jitterbug]

Congratulations on your new chickens.  I also got my 6 about three weeks ago and am currently keeping them at home as it is a bit cold still.  Got a beautiful chicken coop with them and a run which is 6 x 4 long.  The farmer who I bought from said that I could have up to 8 chicks but the 6 look a little cramped to me.  My hubby says he will try and build them a bigger run once we get them onto the allotment.

I tried the free range in my garden and the 'ladies' absolutely wrecked my garden in two days.  They also ate all my grass up and I am now trying to nurse it back to life.  I just could not believe my ladies - they were like a 12 legged wrecking squad.  Mmhhh!   So maybe you should keep an eye on them when your lovely crops are in....  For the one who keeps escaping try using a catch net that is used when brining in caught fish.  My husband's net has suddenly found a new job - I saw the farmer cathing mine with one.   :-[ :-\Three of mine are laying lovely at the moment (2 french marans and I think the Leghorn) - the others should come into laying soon - fingers crossed. 

Anyway, good luck with your chickens and hope you get many many eggs from them - they are really delightful and there is nothing nicer than eating your own home laid eggs.   THey even talk to me and yesterday I could not understand why they were making a fuss until I looked at the clock and realised I had not taken them their corn ration for the day.  They also have a unique call in the morning when they want to be let out!!  and who said a baby was the only demanding thing in your life ;D

Jitterbug

[shadowdragon]

Ive done loads the past few days, ive fenced off an 8meterx8meter area for them all nice and secure, and have been getting four eggs a day so far!!! which im pretty pleased with. The girls are starting to get to know me a bit now and come to the fence (i think it was feeding them worms that helped  ;D )

Tonight i gave them some corn and layer mix inside the coop and they all came in without the need for me to go into the run which was nice  :)

Im loving my chickens and im loving the great quality eggs there producing too!!! plus its nice to have the company down the allotment too!!!