Coop bedding

[countrycochin]

We have been using pine chips and switched to straw, which I hated!! The straw was so hard to clean out of the coop. I am trying to decide which is the best method. I am just curious about all the different options and what people like or dislike about the various methods. Also we live where it gets really cold in the winter, so I would like to find something that would be good for warmth, easy to clean and requires as little maintainence as possible. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JackE]

I've found pine shavings to be easy enough. I shovel the coop out twice a year. In between those cleanings, I'll add another bag of shavings, as the old stuff breaks down. To me, can't get any easier then that.

 

[RonP]

Nesting boxes - shredded paper - free and easy to replace when soiled.

Coop floor - kiln dried large pine shavings - 8 to 12 inches deep - changed out once per year, dumped into run.

Run floor - wood chips, used pine shavings, dried leaves, yard waste, and basically anything biodegradable - free - 8 - 24 inches deep - composted black gardeners gold gets kicked out of 1/2 hardware fencing and disappears. Level seems to remain constant. Chickens love to dig craters and distribute it for me. I just routinely dump a garbage can full of "browns" into the run. Haven't cleaned it, ever. No mud, bugs, or smell.