Bedding dilemma

[TwistedTayy]

So I switched over to hemp a while ago and I am loving it but the new pens I built have a lot of waste from the chicks pushing the bedding through the HC.

I had been using pine flakes but it takes FOREVER for the bedding to breakdown in compost. I still have piles from a year ago that look basically fresh. This is something that’s pretty important to me.

Rather than adding kick boards (I need a break from construction) are there other options that I could use? (Tractor supply purchasing). It would be for chicks and grow outs. I also have wood chips but they can be quite wet.

 

[azygous]

You probably have no shortage of rainfall there in Georgia. So do you have covered runs? Do you have adequate drainage around your runs? If so, have you considered sand as a bedding?

Granted, my climate in Colorado is much dryer than yours, but I have been extremely satisfied with sand as a bedding in both coops and runs. I do scoop the poop each day, though, but having clean runs and coops that don't smell or draw flies has been a joyful way to live with chickens.

What is the size of your flock? What is the total square footage of your runs?

 

[TwistedTayy]

You probably have no shortage of rainfall there in Georgia. So do you have covered runs? Do you have adequate drainage around your runs? If so, have you considered sand as a bedding?

Granted, my climate in Colorado is much dryer than yours, but I have been extremely satisfied with sand as a bedding in both coops and runs. I do scoop the poop each day, though, but having clean runs and coops that don't smell or draw flies has been a joyful way to live with chickens.

What is the size of your flock? What is the total square footage of your runs?

I should have been more clear. This would just be for the interior pens. Right now there is no exterior run but they are being built (as we speak) it will be 8 x 16 and be half wood chips half grass (if that doesn’t last then it will be all wood chips). Due to running out of money, it will be “roofed” with shade sail until we become more liquid.

Like I said these pens (until at least winter) will house chicks and grow outs. Chicks in the large brooder (no outdoor access). Grow outs in the other two. They’re about 3.5x4 ft. (3.5x8 for the brooder).

You can see underneath all the hemp on the ground. It’s too expensive to have that kind of waste…

 

[azygous]

Nice brooding pens. I'm sure those youngsters are flapping anxious to get outside to explore and scratch and excavate.

Hemp is lovely bedding, but why don't you reserve it for the future nesting boxes? Then use wood shavings or sand for the floors? Wood chips may have splinters that you'd rather avoid since that can cause foot injuries and bumblefoot.

 

[aart]

Some kind of barrier is going to be necessary, even pine shavings will get kicked thru.

I used large pieces of heavy cardboard on the outside of my brooder to help keep stuff inside.