Bedding in the coop?

[Jenifer72]

What should I use for the floor in the coop? It has a wood floor...do I use pine shavings? I would say its about 12x14 (I havent measured yet)...I have 10 RIRs...how often would I have to clean it all out and start over?

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

Hello Jenifer,

I use pine shavings along with Sweet PDZ in my 4x4 coop. I guess you could say I use the "Deep litter method" which you can search for details on that in the Index or online. I rake in about 2 cups of Sweet PDZ every other week or so, and add/remove shavings as needed. The Sweet PDZ is great stuff and so I even use it inside our cat's litter boxes. For an area as large as yours, I'd probably use the pine shavings as well. Have fun with your chickens!!

 

[Lesa]

Most with a wood floor use wood chips. You will have to decide how you want to do cleaning. Many on this site use the deep litter method. I started with that, but it didn't make me happy. Now, I use just a layer of chips and shovel out completely every week or so- depending on weather. Also, if you have a droppings board and clean that each day and pick up piles of poop in the chips, the chips will stay clean much longer...You can always add another layer of chips, just for a quick spruce up. Good luck!

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Alot of people do it differently. I myself put down pine shavings as a base and the straw on top of that. My chickens roost above and the droppings stick to the straw (or pile up) and I just use a "three" pronged garden hand tool and rake it up and dump it out. The shavings will stay in there until I do the major cleaning.

 

[Jenifer72]

Quote:
HI! Where do I find the Sweet PDZ? A place like Bomgaars or TSC? Thanks for the help!

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

Quote:
HI! Where do I find the Sweet PDZ? A place like Bomgaars or TSC? Thanks for the help!

Oh, I didn't even notice you were from Iowa!!! What town?? I get mine at the Lakeside Country Store on Hwy 92 and South Expressway. They are actually starting to carry chickens now, but since they are just starting, they dont have many. I get our chicks from Bomgaars off I-80 North of the Mall of the Bluffs.

 

[Jenifer72]

Henry'schickens :

Alot of people do it differently. I myself put down pine shavings as a base and the straw on top of that. My chickens roost above and the droppings stick to the straw (or pile up) and I just use a "three" pronged garden hand tool and rake it up and dump it out. The shavings will stay in there until I do the major cleaning.

That might work for me also...I could use a pitch fork which would act like a giant litter scoop. Do you think It could go 2 weeks using this method before having to change out everything? Or is that too much time? Mine are still in the brooder in the coop so just trying to figure out what I'll be dealing with.​

 

[Jenifer72]

Quote:
HI! Where do I find the Sweet PDZ? A place like Bomgaars or TSC? Thanks for the help!

Oh, I didn't even notice you were from Iowa!!! What town?? I get mine at the Lakeside Country Store on Hwy 92 and South Expressway. They are actually starting to carry chickens now, but since they are just starting, they dont have many. I get our chicks from Bomgaars off I-80 North of the Mall of the Bluffs.

Yep! I'm not too far from Sioux City if you know where that is I have a TSC and a Bomgaars not far

 

[Lesa]

Your nose will be the judge- but IMO 2 weeks should be fine.