Best Bedding

[Mylittlefarmof12]

Right now I have hay thrown down in the coop. Problem is when I spot clean it ( every other day) it takes a lot of hay with it. What do you like to use and why?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I use pine shavings. They absorb moisture very well and are great to use in compost.

 

[Chullicken]

I used straw once (Similar to hay) hated it. Impossible to spot clean, holds moisture, requires a lot more attention I feel to keep it as working bedding. After a couple years of experimentation, during the warmer months I use 6" of All Purpose Sand in my run and coop. I bought a kiddie rake at the hardware store and once a day I will rake it all. Easy to remove poop nuggets and feathers. Plus it just looks fantastic once you're done. Winter months I give the sand in the coop a good once over and add an additional bag before I put down about 6-8" of Chopped Straw or Pine Shavings. I also add a healthy layer of Chopped Straw to the run to have some separation from the frost and their feet. I rake the run every other week or so to keep it turned and add fresh along the way.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Some people swear by sand but I think that isn't good for cold humid climates.
I love to use pine shavings. The bales intended for horse stalls.
It is nice and dry, doesn't mold. You just have to be careful birds don't spill their water.
Hay molds so isn't a good choice. Straw is ok but pine is best.

 

[Chullicken]

Pine doesn't really break down as well though, so I can't really say it's 'best'. Do love pine shavings though, the smell is wonderful.

 

[Folly's place]

I also use the baled pine shavings, with some added other plant materials as they come up. It all gets shoveled out about twice a year into the manure spreader, and goes on the pastures. it's great for compost and gardens too. Daily cleanout isn't going to happen here! Scooping poo daily with a litter scoop on sand might be nice in a dry climate with four chickens, but not otherwise.
Mary

 

[blackdog043]

I mainly use pine shavings with some leaves and straw mixed in. I add some shavings when it needs to be freshened up(every month or 2) It gets cleaned out once a year. I use a poop board also, so it keeps things a lot cleaner and hardly any odor in the coop. I have 11 chickens right now.

 

[Mylittlefarmof12]

I read you can put a vinyl flooring down then sand. Is that something I could do?

 

[BantyChooks]

I read you can put a vinyl flooring down then sand. Is that something I could do?

Maybe. I never liked it much, it's high maintenance and tends to cake if it gets moisture in it. I personally use vinyl flooring and a psuedo deep litter. It's mainly shavings, with some hay/leaves/other stuff in it. It holds a lot of water without going smelly or slick. As of now it's just shavings and 6 inches thick.

 

[blackdog043]

I read you can put a vinyl flooring down then sand. Is that something I could do?

If you want to scoop poop everyday from your coop floor. Also keep in mind that sand is not a good insulator, so the coop floor will be cold, in the cooler months. I don't know your location, but there is snow in your avatar pic.