Can Crushed Oyster Shell be Used As Bedding?

[lshipes14]

I am in SWFL - swamp country in the summer. My backyard & chicken coop (new rental house i just moved into) is retaining water BIG time. My chickens are in 1-1.5" of standing water, and the ground under the water has turned to thick, smelly, mud.

We are in the process (today & tomorrow) of raising the elevation of the area in our chicken coop & run, and am looking for ideas to use as bedding.

It is a 300sqft area in total.

My husband is recommending Crushed Oyster Shell because of it's great drainage, however I am worried that the sharp edges may cut the chickens feet. My husband argues that they aren't heavy enough to get "poked" by the oyster shell fragments.

Has anyone used oyster shell as bedding before? If not, has anyone dealt with water management issues like mine? What other types of bedding should I consider?

I'm worried regular Mason Sand will retain too much water, and Playground sand is REALLY expensive.

Other ideas?

 

[cafarmgirl]

I think I would be concerned as well about the abrasiveness of it. It's so easy for a chicken to get bumblefoot from small injuries and abrasions to the bottom of their feet and that can be really hard to deal with. Especially in a warm/wet environment. I think I'd go for something a little easier on the feet. I would go for sand if there was any way possible.

 

[lshipes14]

Thanks! I thought so too, but it's good to get validation!