Bedding?

[docdubz]

I've been using straw for bedding. My feed stores seem to only have straw or pine shavings available. I've read that pine shavings aren't great for birds so I've been sticking with the straw. But it's getting expensive a $15 bag lasts me 1 and a half cleanings and I clean out the coop about once per week depending on how dirty it is or if it got wet. I was going to buy a round bale of hay and use that but I've been reading that it wouldn't be a good idea. As of right now I'm literally paying more money for bedding than I am for feed. I'm not trying to run a profit with my chickens or anything like that but I need a more sustainable solution.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Some people use sand. I haven’t tried it, but they swear by it.

 

[RevlisRemmah]

Pine should be safe. Cedar is harmful. right now I have sand in my coop- got it from a local landscape place. It’s washed river sand and it was $25 a yard. We use about half a yard in our coop and keep the other half for a big clean out. I do go scoop poop everyday though to keep it clean in there and that can get annoying. I like the sand but am considering the deep litter method after the next clean out.

 

[docdubz]

Some people use sand. I haven’t tried it, but they swear by it.

Unfortunately sand wouldn't work. My chicken tractor is 8' x 4' and the two 8' sizes are just hardware cloth (I'm in Texas). There is no way to keep the sand in. My main coop is ready for me to move the flock into it but I haven't figured out a good bedding solution and it's a large enough coop that it would cost me $45 just to put a layer of straw in.

Speaking of which, this coops floor is bare earth, in that case is bedding really necessary outside of nesting boxes?

 

[docdubz]

Pine should be safe. Cedar is harmful. right now I have sand in my coop- got it from a local landscape place. It’s washed river sand and it was $25 a yard. We use about half a yard in our coop and keep the other half for a big clean out. I do go scoop poop everyday though to keep it clean in there and that can get annoying. I like the sand but am considering the deep litter method after the next clean out.

I tried the deep litter method and I wasn't too happy with it, my birds started having diarrhea issues within 3 weeks.

 

[RevlisRemmah]

I tried the deep litter method and I wasn't too happy with it, my birds started having diarrhea issues within 3 weeks.

Well shoot that’s not good!

 

[Sh4479]

I use straw. I know I'll receive negative feedback but it's just what's best for me.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

it's a large enough coop that it would cost me $45 just to put a layer of straw in.

Don't buy bags of straw.. get a bale.. a square bale is about $15.

Straw.. is not ideal for me.. droppings sit on top. I still use it some though as a filler.

Sand I hate.. in my environment it never dries out, heavy as heck, and composts for crud. I get rice hulls affordably as a nice alternative

Deep litter.. Not my style, I ain't turning anything.

Semi deep litter.. resembling mulch of the forest floor.. With multiple particle sizes (dry leaves, grass clippings, shavings, straw, wood bark, pine needles, etc).. poo removed when possible.. invites good bacteria and bugs to party that otherwise is bare breeding ground for bad bacteria and stinky funk builds up on bare ground. Semi deep litter as I describe it, never gets wet to make any heat or moisture. I keep adding in more dry material.. which VERY slowly breaks down. But it isn't compacted enough to cause mold or anything like that.

Best wishes!