Best bedding to use outside the coop

[Brahmachicken240]

this year I’ve buying bags of wood chips every month to cover up all the mud and poop around the coop, I was wondering if anyone here uses any spacific type of bedding that lasts long and masks the smell ?
I’m planning on improving the outside of the hen house for the new year....
My flock is also mostly brahmas so it’s important for me to keep the coop as clean as possible to keep their feathered feet from getting ruined.

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot I think depends on your soil and drainage. I am a rancher, and I use a lot of waste hay, that the cattle spill and walk on. It is easily available to me, I use it deeply in the run, although I still have some bare spots they can dig in, Later in the spring I use it as mulch in my garden.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I use wood chips..... LOL XD

But I get mine for free from tree companies. And I put it down 1' thick or deeper. I also rake all the leaves in there each year. It works out well.

We're talking 10-14 cubic yards of wood chips

 

[aart]

buying bags of wood chips

What kind of wood chips are you using...pics please?
Wood chippings from tree trimmers are best IMO, but not sure if that's available to you, they can be hard to find here. I need to scare up another load this next year, only got a bit this year. I add other stuff... too straw, leaves, etc...but the bigger wood chippings last longest.

 

[Mosey2003]

I really prefer lime. Agricultural lime, barn lime, sump lime, has a few different names. Our local store sells a brand called Shurtred Barn Lime (like sure tread, for grip). If you put enough lime down and pack it in, it will keep the smell down and keep it dryer and firmer.

 

[Percheron chick]

If your trash hauler picks up Christmas trees, they or another company are probably grinding them up and giving the mulch out for free as to keep them out of landfills. Grab a pickup load or two. Bagged shavings are a waste of time when used outside.

 

[chickens really]

Use sand it's awesome in a run.