First winter with my three chickens (who btw won't roost). We use pine shavings now. Wanted to know what would be best to use for the bedding in winter. Straw, hay or the pine shavings?
Chicken bedding
- Thread starter spunkyfroggie
- Start date
- Jul 24, 2013
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I use pine shavings for my coop, both in summer and winter. Other people successfully use chopped straw or hay. Just make sure that there is a thick layer of bedding (4-6 inches) during the winter. This should keep the birds warm, no matter what material the bedding is made of.
I use to use pine shavings. Had someone give me some straw so I used that last winter BIG mistake.. I got mites and lice for the first time. So if you use straw be sure it is not old and been stored in someone's barn. I now use wood mulch. We get free wood mulch from a local tree trimmer and my husband than runs it through his chipper to get a really nice mulch. It is the best bedding I have ever had. I add a little pine shavings maybe 1/2 bale for a 8 x12 coop. The coop always smells like a Christmas tree.
Ditto for the mites and straw. I made that mistake this spring. Never again. I had to clean, spray and treat my hens and roos. I hated that. I have had hens for 6 yrs and it was my first time with any kinds of critters on the flock.
Have you tried placing them on the roosts repeatedly after dark? I had two young pullets that would not roost, until after several days of me picking them up and placing them on the roost bar each night.
That said, my winter bedding is usually alternating straw and pine shavings. I use whichever is available, and sprinkle sweet pdz whenever it's really humid or damp.
That said, my winter bedding is usually alternating straw and pine shavings. I use whichever is available, and sprinkle sweet pdz whenever it's really humid or damp.
- Thread starter
- #6
Yes and they aren't having it. The girls sleep in one nesting box together and the rooster lays In the one next to them or in front. They are rotten.
Sounds like it! Try blocking off the nesting box at night with a piece of plywood, cardboard, etc. Breaking that habit will usually result in cleaner eggs.
- Thread starter
- #8
Yeah we've done that too. The pile up in front of it in the coop. My husband says they are the laziest chickens. Lol
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