Hay or Pine Chips?

[Sgsf]

I've noticed a lot of people using Pine Chips. I currently use Hay in my coop, but I'm wondering: Is there really a difference in them? Is one better than the other?

 

[Beekissed]

I used to use hay and found that the longer fibers became hard for the girls to shuffle through/turn when they became soiled or damp. They were also harder for me to turn once I really get some depth on my litter. They call it "forming a cap" when its like that.

This year I used pine chips and will never go back to hay or straw! The chickens could turn their own bedding if I just threw some BOSS in there every once in awhile. When it was time to remove, you could do it easily with a grain shovel. They smell fresher and they absorb more fecal matter. They are also easier to spread on the garden or compost later on.

 

[Sgsf]

Thanks Beekissed!

 

[Beekissed]

YW! BTW, welcome to the forum!

 

[MaureenL128]

we started out using pine shavings ann love it! hay just in their nesting boxes....i switched to cedar shavings but recently have had one girl with a sinus infection...i have read on here that the cedar can give them respiratory problems so i will be switching back to pine tomorrow!!!!