coop bedding- what do you prefer??

[subhanalah]

Wow, that would never have occurred to me in a million years. Who knew that great big tree in the back of my yard is good for something other than clogging up my mower!

I can't wait to try this. Seriously - I've never been so excited to rake the yard in my life. Thanks!!

they are the WORST to rake! Hate it, give me good old fashioned tree leaves any day!

 

[vehve]

they are the WORST to rake! Hate it, give me good old fashioned tree leaves any day!

I prefer the pine needles over maple leafs, they take years to break down. But maybe I have to start utilizing them as bedding.

 

[lauranickerson]

Oh yeah! I tried leaves, too! Totally forgot. They weren't terrible, but they do hold onto moisture and get matted. I like to use them more in the run, though my run isn't really in use during the warm months because the flock free ranges when there's no snow on the ground.

You're welcome! It definitely been my favorite bedding so far! We have LOTS of pine trees where I am (hundreds, probably) planted in rows, so the needles are so thick that I fill up about 3 feed bags with them, haul them back in the wheelbarrow, and that fills the coop enough.

I do have to mention that I prefer white pine needles over red, because they are thinner and softer, but either would work. We have lots of both so I'll probably use both anyways.

 

[6of6chicks]

they are the WORST to rake! Hate it, give me good old fashioned tree leaves any day!

Oh, I completely agree! I have five large oak trees and a very large garden. The oaks get used for everything it seems - leaves, acorns, & chipped branches- excellent for mulching & pathways. Larger limbs get used all over the place - trellises, fencing, perches, etc. I don't even mind the maintenance because they are just so useful.

The lone pine tree, on the other hand? Definitely not the MVP of my yard. The pine needles are a pain to rake, clog the mower, and are too acidic to be of use to anything other than the blueberries (and even they don't seem to like them).

I'm just so excited to finally have a use for that tree. If it turns out my chickens like pine needles then I will march back there and officially apologize to the pine tree for all the offensive names I have called it over the years. I guess it wasn't trying to be a pain. It was just waiting for me to get chickens!

 

[Julie S]

That's another reason that I use a fine pea gravel. Because of the larger spaces between the pebbles, the water seeps down through it far more efficiently and it dries much faster than sand.

Hi Michael,

Question about the pea gravel. You don't have fly or moisture problems?

Our coop is 2 levels and on the bottom is pea gravel. The top inch or so is dry but it's damp/wet the lower you dig. I scoop out the poops each day and give it a good stir but the flies are all over it. It never gets direct rain, either. We were going to remove the gravel and replace with shavings and try deep litter method.

Thanks for your input, Julie

 

[subhanalah]

Oh, I completely agree! I have five large oak trees and a very large garden. The oaks get used for everything it seems - leaves, acorns, & chipped branches- excellent for mulching & pathways. Larger limbs get used all over the place - trellises, fencing, perches, etc. I don't even mind the maintenance because they are just so useful.

The lone pine tree, on the other hand? Definitely not the MVP of my yard. The pine needles are a pain to rake, clog the mower, and are too acidic to be of use to anything other than the blueberries (and even they don't seem to like them).

I'm just so excited to finally have a use for that tree. If it turns out my chickens like pine needles then I will march back there and officially apologize to the pine tree for all the offensive names I have called it over the years. I guess it wasn't trying to be a pain. It was just waiting for me to get chickens!

so many things in my life are like this!

 

[vehve]

Hi Michael,

Question about the pea gravel. You don't have fly or moisture problems?

Our coop is 2 levels and on the bottom is pea gravel. The top inch or so is dry but it's damp/wet the lower you dig. I scoop out the poops each day and give it a good stir but the flies are all over it. It never gets direct rain, either. We were going to remove the gravel and replace with shavings and try deep litter method.

Thanks for your input, Julie

Is your coop in a low spot compared to it's surroundings? Sounds like underground water is collecting there, so the pine shavings might get too moist. You might consider trying them over the gravel though, if the top stays dry it seems like it would work as drainage under the shavings.

 

[Julie S]

Yes it is somewhat lower. I guess it doesn't matter if the shavings get mixed in with the gravel if we add it on top of the gravel?

 

[subhanalah]

Yes it is somewhat lower.  I guess it doesn't matter if the shavings get mixed in with the gravel if we add it on top of the gravel?

you can always use landscaping cloth.

 

[Varglet]

I pretty much use whatever I can get for cheap. Right now I prefer lawn clippings (preferably longer cut), but if I can't get any (from my own lawn or a neighbor's), I use wood chips/shavings that I get for free from another neighbor. If I can't get either of those, I buy a cheap bale of pine shavings from the feed store. I love the smell of freshly mowed grass.

I use pine shavings in my nest boxes. And the floor of my coop is concrete (used to be a shed).