Bedding for Coop

[amanda_rimo]

We just got a new coop and run for our duck and we are looking for suggestions on bedding for the coop and bedding for the run in the winter. In previous years we have used pine shaving for the coop and straw for the run and coop in the winter. We were thinking about using horse pellet bedding but want to use what is most effective! Any suggestions help!

 

[CoriM]

I think it's just personal preference based on your conditions, style of coop, and what's best for the ducks. I have a covered coop and run. In my coop I use pine shavings, and it's quick and easy to scoop the poop everyday so it's fresh and clean and doesn't smell. I just sprinkle some new shavings on top and fluff it with a little rake. My run is half pine shavings and half pea gravel and that surrounds a tiny pond we have in there.

 

[Toad9000]

I've been a big fan of pine shavings. I would just recommend avoiding hay. It gets very wet and I've had issues with getting very small, VERY sharp seeds in my hay that hurts the duck's (and my own) feet.

 

[redrascalsranch]

I think it's just personal preference based on your conditions, style of coop, and what's best for the ducks. I have a covered coop and run. In my coop I use pine shavings, and it's quick and easy to scoop the poop everyday so it's fresh and clean and doesn't smell. I just sprinkle some new shavings on top and fluff it with a little rake. My run is half pine shavings and half pea gravel and that surrounds a tiny pond we have in there.

I just built a duck house and run and am using pine shavings inside. There's no water or food inside (it's in the run) but I am finding the shavings hard to clean without practically throwing all the shavings out. Do you have a method for cleaning the pine shavings that doesn't involve going through so much? Or how often is it normal to completely clean out the house and put new shavings? Maybe I'm being too picky on how clean it is but it sounds like you're keeping yours pretty clean. It's also annoying how the pine shavings get into the run and onto the pea gravel - how do you keep that clean when they mix?

 

[Toad9000]

I just built a duck house and run and am using pine shavings inside. There's no water or food inside (it's in the run) but I am finding the shavings hard to clean without practically throwing all the shavings out. Do you have a method for cleaning the pine shavings that doesn't involve going through so much? Or how often is it normal to completely clean out the house and put new shavings? Maybe I'm being too picky on how clean it is but it sounds like you're keeping yours pretty clean. It's also annoying how the pine shavings get into the run and onto the pea gravel - how do you keep that clean when they mix?

I just turn over my pine shavings once a day and throw a little bit of new shavings on top once a week. My plan is to do a full clean out probably only once or twice a year