coop bedding- what do you prefer??

[Julie S]

you can always use landscaping cloth.

You mean use the cloth to separate the gravel from the shavings?

 

[IzzyMom]

We have straw in the coop, and dirt in the run. My husband likes to rototill the run about once a month or so, just to mix things up a bit and give the girls something fun to do. It works for us. Good luck with your new feather-babies!

 

[Julie S]

you can always use landscaping cloth.

You mean use cloth to separate the gravel from the shavings?

 

[subhanalah]

You mean use the cloth to separate the gravel from the shavings?

that's how I'm keeping my sand and gravel from becoming one layer, lol.

 

[dandeliondragon]

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.

Hay is great but they do tend to move it around alot were gonna switch to cedar shavings soon so, you should go with either i love them both!

 

[BunnyLover44]

I use sand, my hens LOVE it, it is easy for them to take dust baths and dig a bit.

 

[Michael OShay]

Hi Michael,

Question about the pea gravel. You don't have fly or moisture problems?

Our coop is 2 levels and on the bottom is pea gravel. The top inch or so is dry but it's damp/wet the lower you dig. I scoop out the poops each day and give it a good stir but the flies are all over it. It never gets direct rain, either. We were going to remove the gravel and replace with shavings and try deep litter method.

Thanks for your input, Julie

I get some flies, but not an excessive amount (I don't think there is such a thing as a chicken coop that gets no flies--not unless its located in Antarctica or something. ) ). My coop is on a sandy slope, so drainage is very good and the moisture just seeps away surprisingly quickly. Occasionally, I throw some fresh gravel onto the floor from the gravel pile.

 

[Michael OShay]

I get some flies, but not an excessive amount (I don't think there is such a thing as a chicken coop that gets no flies--not unless its located in Antarctica or something. ) ). My coop is on a sandy slope, so drainage is very good and the moisture just seeps away surprisingly quickly. Occasionally, I throw some fresh gravel onto the floor from the gravel pile.

P.S. My runs are also pea graveled, but they have a roof over the top to keep them from getting rained on.

 

[dandeliondragon]

Hey they can also use ashes from a pit fire or something and it gets rid of lice and mites! And they do it all the time

 

[Bhmathews]

We use sand. I scoop it out twice a day, and it takes about 3 minutes tops. I just installed a poop board, and I think that will cut down my time to about 1 minute. Whatever substrate you use in your coop, a poop board is worth the while!!!