Hay, straw, sand, pine shavings... what do you use in your coup?

[AnimalmomSarah]

We’re finishing our coup this weekend. We bought an old farm house which had an already built coup. So... we’re fixing the coup up to make it safe from predators. We added some new windows, we’re attaching a run, and laying some cheap vinyl flooring over the existing hardwood floor for easier cleaning. The question remains- do I use hay, straw, sand, or pine chips/shavings? What do you use and why? I’m new to raising chickens. I’ve read sand in nesting boxes helps keep the eggs cleaner. I have a while before my girls start laying. Our coup is 25’x10’x8-6’(slanted roof). Ideas? I will have about 26 chickens total. I’d like it to be cost effective and healthy for the girls. Thank you

 

[Shadowfire]

I use straw because it's fairly inexpensive, very absorbent, and it's great for composting- baled straw is also easier to spread and remove when it gets soiled. I think that when you have a lot of chooks, sand and other expensive bedding is not the best idea. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[AnimalmomSarah]

I use straw because it's fairly inexpensive, very absorbent, and it's great for composting- baled straw is also easier to spread and remove when it gets soiled. Best of luck!

Thank you!

 

[Shadowfire]

Thank you!

Your welcome Sarah

 

[aart]

Bedding often depends on your plans for managing manure....
..and maybe your climate.

This blurb is about 'cleaning' but outlines what I do for beddings:
-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.

-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.

-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.

-Runs have semi-deep litter, never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings(key to cold composting of poops) as needed.

-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 5 years.


Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[blackandtan]

The vinyl is a great idea, I would suggest running it a foot or so up the wall too so it’s easy to sweep out the corners and wipe mess off the wall. In my nest area I use straw, and in the play area I have a layer of flax bedding (3” or so) topped with 8-12” of pine shavings. I use dlm (deep litter method) so in the spring and fall I do a full clean out, the rest of the time I just scoop the worst of the poopie places and scratch up the rest with a rake and top off with more shavings

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I deep litter with straw because it’s cheap and absorbent and easy to compost.

 

[AnimalmomSarah]

Bedding often depends on your plans for managing manure....
..and maybe your climate.

This blurb is about 'cleaning' but outlines what I do for beddings:
-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.

-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.

-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.

-Runs have semi-deep litter, never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings(key to cold composting of poops) as needed.

-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 5 years.


Oh, and, Welcome to BYC!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1696482

Thank you! We plan on building a few compost piles. I’ll definitely be using them to manage the poo and bedding. I’m hoping the run will be large enough we don’t have to use anything to manage poop. My thought was... the bigger I make the run the more it will mimic free range, maybe the grass will survive! Plus the girls will be semi wild and free! We’re starting out with a 25’x10’x6’ run. We will be adding an additional 75’x20’x6’ all inclosed. It will attach to the 25’x10’x6’ run. There are a lot of hawks around here. I’d love for them to free range but I just don’t trust the amount of wildlife that could attack them. Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m located in central Ohio, USA.

 

[AnimalmomSarah]

I deep litter with straw because it’s cheap and absorbent and easy to compost.

Do you

The vinyl is a great idea, I would suggest running it a foot or so up the wall too so it’s easy to sweep out the corners and wipe mess off the wall. In my nest area I use straw, and in the play area I have a layer of flax bedding (3” or so) topped with 8-12” of pine shavings. I use dlm (deep litter method) so in the spring and fall I do a full clean out, the rest of the time I just scoop the worst of the poopie places and scratch up the rest with a rake and top off with more shavings

I’ve not heard of flax bedding! I definitely need to look more into this dlm. Thank you!

 

[AnimalmomSarah]

I deep litter with straw because it’s cheap and absorbent and easy to compost.

How frequent do you have to clean out your coup using straw? I like that straw is cheap, because this run I’m building isn’t cheap lol.