comment on straw vs pine shavings

[scooter147]

I use to use pine shavings exclusively. I would throw straw into the run when it became extremely muddy but that is about all I used it for. In late fall when I cleaned the coop and got it ready for winter I switched to straw in the coop because they jacked the price of pine shavings up $2. So I went with the $4 bale of staw as compared to the $11.99 bale of pine shavings and I have to use three pine shavings to get good coverage in my coop.
Well I started noticing within a month that the coop felt damp and was always a slight amonia smell when I opened the coop door and I do have good ventilation at the top.
Well it finally got to the point two weeks ago I was tird of it and decided to give the coop a good cleaning well as good as you can do in 30 degree weather. I also decided to go back to the pine shavings. It's been two weeks now and the damp feeling and the smell are gone. The shavings seem to do a much better job of absorbing moisture then the straw does.

Any others have thoughts? or do you think it could be something else. I have a 12" x 12" vent on the north and south side of a 8' x 12' foot coop and would open one window about halfway each day so I don't believe ventilation is the problem.

 

[teach1rusl]

Well I've never used straw other than when I clear a patch of snow and sprinkle some about to lure my birds outside. Straw just seems heavier and it bogs down in mud and kind of packs almost solid, so I picture it holding in moisture, mildew, etc. Pine shavings are just so much lighter, dry up quicker, etc. Plus for me, pine shavings seem much easier to scoop up when picking up droppings...

 

[halo]

I sometimes use old hay when Im cleaning out my barn, but it never lasts as long nor is as fresh smelling. I think you might need to shop around a bit, Ive never heard of a bale of shavings costing that much. I go to my local feed store and they are $4-5 each.

 

[henney penny]

Yes I would shop around to I only pay 5.00 for a bale of shavings

 

[gsim]

Quote:
The straw was likely the biggest culprit in your case. Other factor can be poop sitting too long . Dropping boards take care of that if cleaned daily. You might consider adding a roof turbine. You at least have some full time ventilation which is very important. I use grass clippings, and in winter, I occasionally top off the litter with pine needles or chopped leaves. I never have a stinky coop or a damp one either. Though I might mix straw as litter, I would not use it exclusively. Good place to breed mites as the straw is hollow.

I have an 8 x 16 walk-in with 23 inmates. I have 6 sq ft full-time ventilation above wall height. In addition I have 4 windows plus the pop doors and entrance. Mine is quick and easy to air out in AM as I have 24" wide poop boards that I scrape daily.

That is vital to keeping air clean and humidity low. Bonus is only have to change out litter once a year. And did I mention that not only does grass smell good, it is free.

 

[jqs birds]

I use the straw just because it composts more quickly. It's more work because I have to clean more often, but the wood shavings take along time to break down. Just a personal choice. Our climate here is much drier too.

 

[2txmedics]

When I first got chickens I did alot of research and this is what I was told on hay, Straw....which makes sense.....I was told to NOT use it, that since hay or straw is hollow like a straw, mites, lices and any small parasite can burrow in it and breed....not to mention that I did use straw before I knew anything...you know when I was chicken dumb...lol

and once the hay or straw dries it gets real brittle and hard, it pricks you, so I can imagine what it would feel like on a vent when your trying to lay. Now I will say that for the heavy winter I did use hay, as I did find out that hay keeps them warm. Thats another reason to not use it in summer...it gets hot.

hope this helps.

 

[PeepsInc]

I mix the 2. The shavings soak up water, but the straw helps prevent bumble foot.

 

[sonew123]

I hate straw but have it in the breeder pens for nests--I love shavings as I smelled the nastiness too. I can make my own pine shavings in teh summer but I pay 6$ a bale at the store...well worth the 4 bales I buy at a time-

 

[eponagirl]

I use wood pellets in my coop...you can use the kind for wood stoves, but make sure it is pure wood and no chemicals added. The product I use is Woody Pet, but generic wood stove pellets are probably cheaper. It breaks down, is super absorbant, no smell and only needs to be cleaned out fully once or twice a year or so. I also sprinkle Stall Dry in there (which DE in it). I'll never use anything else now...they scratch around and stir things up and the broken down parts go to the bottom. We have great ventilation and poop boards that get cleaned daily, which also helps. I even use the pellets in the brooder.

Two things I heard about hay and straw: someone's chicken had an impacted crop from eating long strands of hay ended up dying (I'm sure the exception and not the rule, but still), straw and hay harbor mites, and attract mice, etc.

Can't rave enough about the pellets. You can sift through them if you want an even cleaner coop, like a giant cat box and since the pellets break down to very small pieces, it will compost faster. The bag says to wet them to break them down to soft bedding...I would not recommend that, the chickens do that themselves over time. It is not any more dusty than anything else either.