Cooler mornings, shorter days, and fluffy hens can only mean one thing: winter is on its way. 

Before your flock starts spending more time tucked inside the coop, fall is a great time for a pre-winter reset. A thorough cleaning now can help reduce moisture, improve air quality, uncover potential pest problems, and give you a chance to make sure the coop and run are ready for the colder months ahead. 

And while your chickens may strongly object to you rearranging their favorite nesting box, they'll appreciate the fresh digs eventually. 

Start With a Clean Slate 

First things first: send the flock out to the run and remove everything you can from the coop. 

Take out old bedding and nesting material, scrape manure from roosts and surfaces, and remove feeders, waterers, nesting accessories, and other movable items. Pay special attention to areas beneath roosts, where droppings and moisture tend to accumulate. 

Manure management becomes especially important during cold weather because chicken manure contains a significant amount of water. When birds spend more time indoors, damp bedding and poor ventilation can contribute to excess humidity and ammonia buildup. 

Once the coop is empty, sweep or vacuum loose debris from corners, seams, and crevices. Then clean washable surfaces using an appropriate poultry-safe cleaner, following the product's directions. 

Don't forget the accessories. Feeders, waterers, removable roosts, and nesting equipment deserve a good cleaning too. 

Most importantly, allow everything to dry completely before adding fresh bedding and letting the flock back inside. 

Check Those Sneaky Hiding Places 

While everything is empty, take advantage of the opportunity to inspect the coop closely. 

Look around: 

Why the extra detective work? Mites. 

Some poultry mites spend much of their time on the birds, while others hide in cracks, crevices, roosts, nest boxes, walls, and similar protected areas and emerge to feed. 

That makes a deep cleaning the perfect time to look for anything suspicious. 

Give Your Chickens a Mite Check, Too 

The coop isn't the only place you should inspect. 

Gently check several birds, paying particular attention to the skin and feathers around the vent. Northern fowl mites tend to congregate in this area, and heavier infestations can leave feathers looking darkened, dirty, or matted from mite debris and dried blood. 

Fall is an especially useful time to get into the habit of regular checks. Northern fowl mite populations can become more problematic during cooler weather, and early detection makes an infestation easier to address. 

If you suspect mites, identify what you're dealing with before reaching for a treatment. Different parasites behave differently, and any pesticide or mite-control product should be specifically labeled for its intended poultry use and used exactly according to its directions. 

When you're unsure, your veterinarian or local poultry extension resource can help you determine the right next step. 

Fresh Bedding = Fresh Start 

Once the coop is clean and completely dry, it's time for fresh bedding. 

Replace soiled nesting material and add clean, dry bedding to the coop floor. Whatever bedding system you use, the goal for winter is simple: keep it dry. 

Check bedding regularly throughout the season, especially around waterers and underneath favorite roosting spots. Remove wet or heavily soiled areas instead of allowing moisture to accumulate. 

Some flock keepers also use a deep-bedding system during winter, gradually adding fresh material on top. If that's your plan, start with a clean, dry coop and manage the bedding carefully throughout the season. University of Minnesota Extension recommends about four to six inches of straw or shavings when using this approach. 

Don't Seal Up the Coop Too Tight 

When temperatures drop, it's tempting to close every opening and make the coop as snug as possible. 

Your chickens need protection from drafts, but they still need ventilation. 

Birds breathing, drinking, and producing manure all add moisture to the coop. Without adequate airflow, that moisture can collect inside, contributing to condensation and poor air quality. In cold conditions, excessive moisture can also increase the risk of frostbite. 

Check that your existing ventilation openings are clear and functioning before winter arrives. If you notice condensation or smell ammonia once the weather turns cold, that's a sign that the coop may need better airflow and/or more frequent manure removal.