coop bedding- what do you prefer??

[cats and chicks]

So as a new hen mom, I am wondering what everyone uses for the floor of their coops?
I have a small coop with only 2 nesting boxes and have been using pine shavings for the past few months.
Is straw better, or should I leave the floor bare (dirt)? I feel like a lot of food gets wasted in the shavings and there are a LOT of flies swarming.
Btw, my girls spend a great deal of time in the coop because I have a neighbor whose dog likes to kill my chickens, so all of their treats get thrown in there as well. I like that they have to root around for their food, but worry about the wasted food and flies bringing diseases.

 

[Y N dottes]

I personally like using sand. sand dries poop out fast. food probably wont get wasted as much, though some waste is inevitable.

 

[Michael OShay]

I personally like using sand. sand dries poop out fast. food probably wont get wasted as much, though some waste is inevitable.

I would be very cautious about using sand. There is a good article on the harmful effects of sand on a chicken's health at http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/07/the-real-scoop-on-using-sand-in-your.html Instead I use a fine pea gravel on my runs and coop floors.

 

[ShockValue]

That article has lists lots of theoretical problems, while the rest of us using sand are enjoying healthy chickens and a lot less work.

 

[GOLDENSEABRIGHT]

pine shavings is an excellent bedding and keeps eggs clean

 

[Michael OShay]

That article has lists lots of theoretical problems, while the rest of us using sand are enjoying healthy chickens and a lot less work.

The fine pea gravel is no more work than the sand and there are not even any "theoretical problems" with it.

 

[ShockValue]

You can't compost gravel, and it's also cold/hot like sand. 2 of the complaints listed in the article.

 

[Michael OShay]

You can't compost gravel, and it's also cold/hot like sand. 2 of the complaints listed in the article.

There's nothing in the article about pea gravel. Pea stays cooler than sand because there are larger spaces for air circulation between the particles (I've used it for years and never had a problem with it getting too hot) nor does it freeze in the winter like sand. Furthermore, it doesn't harbor the bacteria that sand does, and while it doesn't compost like sand, it's very easy to clean. You can just hose it out and it will dry quickly (unlike sand).

 

[ShockValue]

I'm not saying pea gravel is better and/or worse than sand. What I'm saying is that the quoted article is full of speculation and should be taken with a grain of salt when considering your bedding options.

Research from a university study contradicts both the bacteria and temperature points the article makes:
http://www.aaes.auburn.edu/comm/pubs/highlightsonline/spring00/sand.ht

"Moisture and ammonia levels were similar to pine shavings, with significantly lower numbers of bacteria in the sand."
"Houses equipped with sand as a litter had less dust, lower darkling beetle levels, less caking, and more beneficial temperatures (the temperature was 2oF cooler in summer and warmer in winter months)."
ml

 

[Michael OShay]

I'm not saying pea gravel is better and/or worse than sand. What I'm saying is that the quoted article is full of speculation and should be taken with a grain of salt when considering your bedding options.

Research from a university study contradicts both the bacteria and temperature points the article makes:
http://www.aaes.auburn.edu/comm/pubs/highlightsonline/spring00/sand.ht

"Moisture and ammonia levels were similar to pine shavings, with significantly lower numbers of bacteria in the sand."
"Houses equipped with sand as a litter had less dust, lower darkling beetle levels, less caking, and more beneficial temperatures (the temperature was 2oF cooler in summer and warmer in winter months)."
ml

These are just more examples of why there is no one right way to do things many things (including bedding) where chickens are concerned. As long as something works for the person who has chickens, he and she will continue to use it (and why not?). )