As the days get shorter and autumn arrives, it’s a good time to give your coop a little extra attention. Cooler, wetter weather can make keeping a clean and healthy coop more challenging, while wild birds and rodents may find your chickens’ food and housing particularly attractive.
Whether you keep a couple of chickens or a larger backyard flock, good biosecurity is an important part of responsible chicken keeping. It means taking sensible steps to reduce the risk of disease entering your flock and spreading between birds, people, equipment and housing.
The good news is biosecurity doesn’t need to be complicated. A few straightforward habits, from wearing dedicated footwear to storing feed securely and cleaning housing properly, can make a real difference.
We recommend making these practice steps part of your autumn chicken-care routine.
1. Create clean and dirty zones around your chickens
One of the simplest ways to improve chicken biosecurity is to think about where you walk before entering your flock’s run.
Dirt, droppings and contaminated material can be carried on footwear and clothing. Creating clear zones around your flock helps reduce the chance of bringing unwanted contamination into the coop.
You can help by:
- Keeping a dedicated pair of boots or shoes for the chicken area
- Changing into clean clothing or overalls before entering your chickens' run
- Keeping equipment used for chickens separate from general garden equipment where possible
- Cleaning footwear and equipment before moving between different groups of birds
A foot dip can form part of your biosecurity routine, but it must be used correctly using a Defra-approved disinfectant; check that it is relevant for its intended use, and follow the required dilution rate as specified on the product label.
Alternatively, dedicated footwear that stays inside the bird housing can help prevent diseases from entering the coop.
2. Limit contact with wild birds and other animals
Wild birds can carry diseases that can affect backyard chickens. Their droppings can also contaminate areas where your flock eats, drinks and spends time.
Although you cannot prevent every wild bird from visiting your garden, there are practical ways to reduce opportunities for contact.
We recommend keeping your chickens’ living area secure and reducing opportunities for wild birds to access feed and water.
You can also:
- Keep the chicken run as secure as practical
- Avoid leaving feed scattered around the garden
- Remove spilt food promptly
- Keep the area around the coop clean and tidy
- Prevent wild birds from accessing feeders and drinkers where possible
Check fences, gates and other access points regularly, particularly after bad weather.
3. Store feed securely
Good feed hygiene is essential for keeping chickens healthy. Feed that becomes damp, stale or mouldy can pose a risk to your birds, while food left accessible can attract wild birds and rodents.
We recommend feeding chickens from a feeder rather than scattering feed directly on the ground.
4. Keep drinkers and feeders clean
Your chickens use their feeders and drinkers every day, so these are important areas to include in your cleaning routine.
Dirty equipment can accumulate droppings and food debris. Regular cleaning helps maintain good hygiene and reduces the opportunity for harmful organisms to build up.
We recommend disinfecting feeders and drinkers regularly, using a suitable disinfectant, ideally weekly.
A few useful habits include checking drinking water daily, removing leftover feed, washing equipment regularly and making sure everything is in good condition.
Remember to follow the instructions for any cleaning or disinfecting product you use, including its recommended dilution and contact time.
5. Clean and disinfect your chicken coop
A clean chicken house is about much more than appearances. Regular cleaning and disinfection help control the build-up of harmful organisms and parasites that can affect your birds.
Remove any soiled bedding and droppings regularly, alongside conducting a thorough clean and disinfection of your chicken coop.
Here’s our suggested cleaning routine:
- Remove old bedding, droppings and accumulated dirt
- Wash the coop with a suitable detergent
- Clean perches, nest boxes and other equipment carefully
- Remove visible organic matter before applying disinfectant
- Use a suitable disinfectant
- Allow surfaces to dry as directed before adding fresh bedding
- Clean and disinfect feeders and drinkers as well
When cleaning your chicken coop, use a DEFRA-approved disinfectant. Interkokask is a ready-to-use spray which works against bacteria, viruses and fungi, while also destroying worm eggs and coccidial oocysts.
6. Control rodents and pests
Rats and mice can carry diseases on their feet and fur. They can also contaminate feed and equipment, making effective pest control an important part of your biosecurity.
Autumn is a sensible time to review your pest-control routine, particularly if you notice rodents visiting the coop or feed storage area.
There are several simple ways to reduce the risk of attracting rodents:
- Remove spilt feed promptly
- Keep feed storage secure
- Clearing away waste and excess food
- Cutting back long grass and weeds around the coop
- Keep housing and surrounding areas clean and tidy
- Check for signs of rodent activity regularly
7. Be careful when introducing new chickens
Adding new birds to your flock can be exciting, but it’s important to take precautions before allowing them to mix with your existing hens.
New chickens may carry infections or parasites without any obvious signs of illness. Taking time to assess their health and keeping groups separate helps reduce the risk of introducing problems to your established flock.
Before introducing new birds:
- Check their general health and condition
- Keep them separate from your existing flock initially
- Use separate equipment for each group
- Change footwear and clothing as appropriate when moving between groups
- Seek veterinary advice if you have concerns about their health
If you are unsure about the best approach for your flock, contact your local chicken-friendly vet before bringing new birds into contact with your existing chickens.
Frequently asked questions about chicken biosecurity
What does biosecurity mean for backyard chickens? .
Biosecurity means taking practical steps to reduce the risk of disease entering your flock or spreading between birds. This includes good hygiene, secure feed storage, limiting contact with wild birds and other animals, cleaning equipment and being careful when introducing new birds.
How often should I disinfect my chicken coop?
We recommend regular cleaning, removal of soiled bedding and thorough disinfection as part of a routine hygiene programme. The frequency should reflect the condition of your housing and the needs of your flock.
How can I keep rats and mice away from my chickens?
Store feed securely, remove spilt food, keep the surrounding area tidy, and monitor for signs of rodent activity.
What should I do if a chicken appears unwell?
Monitor your bird closely and seek advice from a chicken-friendly vet if you notice changes in behaviour, appetite, droppings, breathing or general condition.
Autumn is an ideal time to review your routines before winter arrives. By making small changes now, you can help protect your chickens, maintain better housing hygiene and make everyday flock care simpler.
To support your biosecurity routine, explore our hygiene products:
- Foot dip - Improves the accuracy of dispensing concentrated disinfectants, helping ensure coverage of the correct dilution every time
- Interkokask – Defra-approved ready-to-use broad-spectrum disinfectant
- Stalosan F ® - Dry powder disinfectant designed to improve hygiene and conditions in chicken coops
If you have any concerns about the health or welfare of your birds, contact a chicken-friendly vet for advice.
