Bedding - Pro’s & Cons

[paneubert]

They have similar stuff on amazon marketed towards birds and small animals, but for a lot more per pound.

You know what.....I do remember using corn cob bedding for my cockatiel way back 20+ years ago. It did hold on to the little bird poops pretty well. I do not think it was dusty or had any real smell. Which makes sense since it was marketed for use indoors in bird cages.

 

[sweetgumkingdom]

You know what.....I do remember using corn cob bedding for my cockatiel way back 20+ years ago. It did hold on to the little bird poops pretty well. I do not think it was dusty or had any real smell. Which makes sense since it was marketed for use indoors in bird cages.

Oh nice! Thanks, I’m going to give it a shot!

 

[Mosey2003]

I love it. Can't get it often here.

 

[aart]

I saw on their website that they warn to keep it indoors and dry to avoid molding. So that could be a little concerning.

It could indeed, unless it's been heat treated/kiln dried could be covered in mold spores just waiting for some moisture and nitrogen to bloom.

The floor slides in on grooves though, you can just pull the entire floor of the coop out by handles on the outside. Hoping this system works for us and simplifies cleaning!

Might work great, do you have other full access to coop?
Probably going to need more ventilation in FL.

 

[Mosey2003]

I would hazard a guess that Beck's is trying to cover their @$$ with the mold warning. Used as it's intended, as indoor stall bedding, it's totally safe. But, it is corn, and aflatoxin can be a concern with corn, so if you're leaving it out in all weather and letting it sit around, yeah, things could happen. You wouldn't want to use it the same way you'd use mulch.

What's really fun about that bedding is that there's always a kernel or two of corn in each bag, and the birds learn that fast. When I'd put a new bag in the coop it sounded like a raucous hoe-down in there with the jumping and scratching I liked it because it was easier to carry than shavings bales, and the poop ended up coated in the stuff, kind of like kitty litter, rather than mushed in.

 

[aart]

I would hazard a guess that Beck's is trying to cover their @$$ with the mold warning.

Could very well be CYA...but also making it a valid concern.
Wonders how it would hold up in runs, used in moderation?
Would it be break down fast or slow?
Just thinking too much....still lamenting not get enough wood chippings this fall.

 

[Mosey2003]

Could very well be CYA...but also making it a valid concern.
Wonders how it would hold up in runs, used in moderation?
Would it be break down fast or slow?
Just thinking too much....still lamenting not get enough wood chippings this fall.

Having used it, I would not use it in runs. It's not going to absorb the same way and wind will blow it around like crazy. The main market for it is horse bedding, and it's great for that. And I like it inside the coop.

 

[sweetgumkingdom]

It could indeed, unless it's been heat treated/kiln dried could be covered in mold spores just waiting for some moisture and nitrogen to bloom.


Might work great, do you have other full access to coop?
Probably going to need more ventilation in FL.

Thanks for the input, I’ll definiteky keep an eye out for those concerns! There’s matching windows on front and back of the coop (which can be secured shut if needed), as well as the door (which will be shut at night.) Hopefully the two windows will allow for enough air circulation, but we will keep an eye on that. We were going to do some more cut outs, but we get so much rain here I didn’t want too many random openings creating a really damp coop in the rainy season.

Thanks so much for the input!

 

[Mosey2003]

Thanks for the input, I’ll definiteky keep an eye out for those concerns! There’s matching windows on front and back of the coop (which can be secured shut if needed), as well as the door (which will be shut at night.) Hopefully the two windows will allow for enough air circulation, but we will keep an eye on that. We were going to do some more cut outs, but we get so much rain here I didn’t want too many random openings creating a really damp coop in the rainy season.

Thanks so much for the input!

Louvered vents

 

[aart]

Louvered vents

..and/or very large roof overhangs....good for rain and shade!