Could use some experienced advise here

[CRyanV76]

I've been using TerrAmigo bedding along with straw in the coop for as long as I've had my chicks (about 15 weeks). I changed it up and used pine shavings instead of straw today, and they refused to go back into the coop tonight. I finally got them in, and they won't go near the pine shavings in the nesting boxes. Will they adjust or do I need to go back to straw? They genuinely seem upset about it.

 

[Mtnboomer]

I use coarse pine shavings in the nesting boxes too and straw in the main area of the coop. I found that they love to kick the fresh straw out of the boxes after i cleaned the coop and so i was getting several broken eggs. When i first made the switch, they were not scared of it but definitely walked over it with uncertainty. But after a day or so it was nothing to them.
Lock them in there for 24-48 hrs if problem persists but id say they will overcome their apprehension.

 

[CRyanV76]

Thanks

 

[Fluffyflufffluff]

I've been using TerrAmigo bedding along with straw in the coop for as long as I've had my chicks (about 15 weeks). I changed it up and used pine shavings instead of straw today, and they refused to go back into the coop tonight. I finally got them in, and they won't go near the pine shavings in the nesting boxes. Will they adjust or do I need to go back to straw? They genuinely seem upset about it.

A good source of bedding for the chicken coop is pine needles or pine straw (that's what we use). They offer much of the same benefits as straw but, if you have a source on your farm, they provide much less.

 

[Mtnboomer]

A good source of bedding for the chicken coop is pine needles or pine straw (that's what we use). They offer much of the same benefits as straw but, if you have a source on your farm, they provide much less.

I have hundreds of pines but only one in the yard where its feasible to harvest the needles. Its large enough that i can get enough needles for 2 coop cleanings. Every little bit helps save some dough plus they always have a few bugs in there to eat.

 

[aart]

I've been using TerrAmigo bedding along with straw in the coop for as long as I've had my chicks (about 15 weeks). I changed it up and used pine shavings instead of straw today, and they refused to go back into the coop tonight. I finally got them in, and they won't go near the pine shavings in the nesting boxes. Will they adjust or do I need to go back to straw? They genuinely seem upset about it.

Fear of Change!
Had this happen when doing the annual replacing of all coop shavings with fresh ones.
You'd think I had put down hot coals....they refused to walk on it for an entire half a day,
until the need to roost overcame their fears.
Now I save out a bit of the old shavings to sprinkle over the new so it doesn't look quite so different.