Farm & Flock— presented by Chicken Whisperer ® Dry Coops, Happy Chickens

By Khris Kaylor

Standing water puddles around your chicken coop aren ' t just annoying. They ' re hotbeds of risk. Stagnant water makes the perfect mosquito factory and breeds bacteria that can sicken your flock, creating muddy conditions where parasites thrive. You don’ t need to bust your budget to resolve this problem, though. This is one that responds well to a little good old-fashioned know-how, a block of time, elbow grease and the right tools.

The Hidden Dangers in Those Puddles

Mosquitoes need as little as a teaspoon of standing water to breed. That mini puddle by your coop? It ' s a perfect nursery for those pesky insects. While you think you’ re just housing chickens, you’ re also providing a natural breeding ground for pests that bite and transmit diseases straight to your treasured feathered friends.

Bacteria love the wet conditions around standing water, as well. E. coli and Salmonella multiply exponentially in muddy soil, and your chickens track this contamination everywhere, including into their nesting boxes. Their little feet unwittingly spread it wherever they wander.

That’ s not all. Parasitic worms also flourish in damp ground. Your innocent chickens pick up these internal parasites just by doing their thing, scratching around in wet areas. Once established, parasites drain your birds ' health and tank egg production.

Eliminating standing water is key to keeping healthy, happy chickens. And you can get the job done without a major construction project.

Reshape Ground to Redirect Water

Next rainstorm, go outside and observe. Where does water collect? Which direction does it flow? Pour a little water out of a measuring cup and see where it heads. You’ ll spot patterns quickly this way.

Grab a shovel and start moving soil. Create a gentle downward slope away from your coop and problem areas. Nothing dramatic is needed, just enough angle so gravity does its job.

Two inches of drop across ten feet works great. Push dirt away from the coop foundation. Fill depressions where puddles form. This costs practically nothing except sweat and time.

14 AcreageLife February 2026 AcreageLife. com