Hay, Straw, wood chips,..help me decide

[NancyDz]

I use straw on the floor and pellets in the nest boxes. I did just ask in another thread if anyone used rice hulls for bedding as I have a good cheap source for them .


Nancy

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I have read on here of people using rice hulls without a problem.

 

[Davaroo]

Maybe if you cleaned 'er out more often it wouldnt matter so much what you use?
We think of litter as a long term fixture. But what if we changed that to seeing it as something temporary, to be removed/redressed at more frequent intervals?

'Just thinking out loud here.....

 

[Dar]

Quote:
I pick the poo out daily to help keep the flies down and to help keep the eggs clean cause i have dirty birds that will poo in the nest boxes

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Sorry David but I gotta tell you that IME the opposite is true. Both with horse stalls (cleaned daily) and my chicken tractor (cleaned nearly daily, when in use). The fresher the bedding, the more difference there is between different types and how easy it is to remove the pooey spots.

Unless you are talking about *total* cleanout. But, seems like that is what mjsdhs is having a problem with in the FIRST place -- the large cost (and trouble) of replacing all yer bedding on a regular basis. (Plus that produces a LOT of stuff that won't compost real fast unless you have other N-heavy stuff to add to it)

So, I really dunno bout that.


Pat

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
I kinda am. Well, more like regular maintenance. Raking and adding new litter as needed... that sort of thing.
I know I used to think of litter as a semi permanent thing, which needs no upkeep. My worry is, so do others.

 

[quiltnchik]

Quote:
I kinda am. Well, more like regular maintenance. Raking and adding new litter as needed... that sort of thing.
I know I used to think of litter as a semi permanent thing, which needs no upkeep. My worry is, so do others.

Not at all. I rake inside the coop and stir the bedding up at least once a day. Every weekend, I add DE and fresh bedding. If there starts to be an odor when I open the coop door, I will immediately clean out and put down fresh bedding. Until that time, however, I'll just keep refreshing it every week

 

[Davaroo]

Lets ponder some other items.

What about shredded leaves?
They're not all that absorbent, but would make an effective floor covering.
Lawn clippngs are another option along the same line. Around my house, there are piles of them every weekend for the taking.