bedding for coop

[mom2punkadus]

I had intended on using deep litter method. I haven't cleaned the coop, just put down fresh bedding on top of the compressed stuff. I didn't need to clean sit; food and water was in the run and such.

Well our 3 new hens had crd and we wound up culling them.

Tomorrow I am completely emptying out the coop and disinfecting it. I am adding new pine bedding in obviously. My question is can I also add dried leaves from the yard? Just for some extra padding for warmth?

 

[annie3001]

hello.
forgive me for asking what is crd? as far as adding leaves, guess you could. i dont tho. i have heard others on this site use leaves for nesting boxes? are you trying to save money or are you out of shavings?

 

[dsqard]

CRD = Chronic Respiratory Disease
I read on one thread that leaf litter is actually very good bedding material. Less dust than shavings so less respiratory problems.

 

[mom2punkadus]

Annie a bit of both.

plus we are trying, in our limited capacity, to teach our girls about using the resources available to them. We have a yard full of dry leaves, so it seems logical to do a half pine, half leaf mixture.