Can I make my own bedding?

[maryboland]

I am using straw and am content with it. It's easy to handle, flake by flake. In summer I don't make it very deep and clean it once every 4 - 6 weeks. For winter I'll go to "deep litter" and just keep adding flakes of straw every week and not clean out until mid spring. After coop straw is used for mulch or added to compost.

 

[darkmatter]

I use the clippings from my lawnmower and rake up pine needles and cones. I have a chipper/shredder and don't use it much. I have used it sometimes for cornstalks and weedstalks for bedding. But just raking up leaves, sticks, pine needles and cones usually provide all the bedding I need. I do use pine shavings for the brooder, since it is easier, then dump the used in the run when I'm done brooding.