Bedding for winter

[Lenny loves chickens]

Should I use hay or pine shavings or something else wlfor winter bedding I am assuming pine shavings but I have notice that hay is an option what do you prefer?

 

[Mrs. K]

I am a rancher - so I have hay readily available. I put it in deep in both the coop and the run. Once a week in the coop, I sprinkle the top with scratch, and the chickens flip it and break up the manure. This keeps the coop drier and it looks like fresh hay.

In the run, if I know a snow is coming, I rake up the hay into mini haystacks, after the snow stops, I flip the hay on top of the snow. My chickens are much more apt to come outside and get fresh air.

*Note: Our winters tend to snow, melt off, and snow again - I know that east of here, they tend to keep their snow all winter. That may make a difference on how you handle things.

Mrs K

 

[Sally PB]

I'll be adding another bale of pine shavings in a month or so. I like to keep 6-8" on the floor of the coop in the cold months.