Wood pellets for the coop?

[Modern Chicken]

Has anyone tried using softwood pellets as bedding in the coop?

 

[BobStuart]

Now but i would like to try that

 

[deidreg]

I do not recommend. They absorb moisture like a sponge and turn into a soggy, mushy mess.

 

[Stravager]

I've never tried using wood pellets as coop bedding, but we did attempt it for cat litter. It crumbles and turns to absolute mush which made it very difficult to actually clean up. Even solid cat poop was hard to scoop out. You basically had to toss the entire litter box after a few days, rather than being able to spot clean.

 

[BobStuart]

I do not recommend. They absorb moisture like a sponge and turn into a soggy, mushy mess.

I mean it would be alright for a wet season as long as it is cleaned out frequently

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I do not recommend. They absorb moisture like a sponge and turn into a soggy, mushy mess.

This for sure. I've done it.

 

[aart]

They seem to be soaking up moisture better than wood shavings,

Where is the moisture coming from...chicken poop, spilled waterers, leaky coop???
Knowing more about your flock and it's housing would help here.
Post dimensions and pics.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @Modern Chicken
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[WoDia]

I think @Debbie292d uses horse pellet bedding.

 

[Debbie292d]

Has anyone else tried using softwood pellets as bedding in the coop? They seem to be soaking up moisture better than wood shavings, but it looks like they might be more difficult to clean out because of the weight of the pellets.

We've used horse bedding pellets (100% compressed pine) for 7 years and would never use anything else. We clean our coop floor every spring.

They dry out the poop on the floor, nest boxes, and brooder. They eliminate any odors and are virtually maintenance-free except the brooder I stir with a stick daily as those little feet don't move them around much.

If there's a water leak or spill, they will absorb it and then it turns to sawdust. After a year in our coop, it's pretty much sawdust and dehydrated poop. We spread that around trees, in flower beds, garden, and compost bins.

Our brooder is in our living room. There is zero smell. It keeps their brooder dry so less chance of diseases. We expect they pick at them and might find a morsel of wood, just like with most anything, so we provide grit.

 

[texsuze]

IMHO, not very comfortable to walk on especially if jumping down from a roost.