Coop bedding?

[kkapotsy]

Approaching the finish line of my coop and run build. Thank goodness because these girls are outgrowing their brooder QUICK.

I installed a poop board that I'll be putting sweet pdz in and cleaning kitty litter style every day or two. But as for the floor of the coop-- should I use sans or pine shavings? I live in the Deep South and worry that sand will get too hot in the summer. Let me know what you experts think!

Also, when the run is picked free of grass, should I lay any kind of bedding? Or is dirt fine?

 

[kkapotsy]

Don't know why I had trouble uploading a pic in the original post

 

[barneveldrerman]

In your case I would put pine shavings. It is mostly a matter of opinion but pine shavings are easier to work with. In the run if all the grass is gone leave it dirt. Chickens love to scratch around for bugs.

If you have more questions let me know and good luck with your chickens

 

[kkapotsy]

Thank you!! I will, and I may have more as we finish up and move our girls outside!

 

[ChickenMammX4]

We use pine shavings (I like the flaked) in the coop. In the run we use straw, hay, grass clippings & leaves. We just keep adding through out the year and clean out in the spring. No visible poo, odor or flies.

 

[flyin-lowe]

I built my 1st coop in February and have had 9 hens since first of March. I started with about 2 inches of pine shavings. After a couple weeks I raked up a large bag of leaves that had fallen last fall. I added those about two weeks in. I add dried leaves every three to four weeks. The hens love scratching and digging through the leaves and they have them broke down into tiny pieces in no time. So far no odor at all. They had my run down to bare dirt in about three weeks. I throw a bag of leaves and lawn clippings in there after I mow each week.

 

[koopmaster]

Hello all,
We have been using pine chips in our current coop (5'x3'), but in our new coop, which is much larger (10'x8'), we are considering hay on the floor. The birds have daily access to a 10x20 outdoor run also. Is hay ok? Or straw? Why are pine chips the popular choice among most?
Thank you,
Mike