Bedding Options?

[itsmaddiejohnson]

Hello all! Has anyone used these pine pellets in your coops?
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...-pine-pellet-stall-bedding-40-lb?cm_vc=-10005

I've been using pine shavings but I'm seeing if there are any cheaper and more absorbent options out there. Which bedding do you use in your coops? Links would be greatly appreciated, if possible!

TIA!

 

[drangle]

right now a mix of straw, shredded paper, and pine shavings. whatever i can get my hands on really. i just mix it all together and toss some grain on it once or twice a week so the chickens will turn it over.

 

[nuthatched]

I use straw, a $12 compressed bale lasts quite a while.
Pellets tend to break down into particles.

 

[aart]

What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture

-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.
-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.
- Large flake pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.
- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.
-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.
That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 9 years.