hay vs. wood shavings

[Beekissed]

Pine shavings. Hay and straw form a "cap" to the bedding, aren't as absorbant and are harder to turn and fluff.

 

[flocksalot]

Shavings are my choice, but as another poster asked why not cedar? I mix a small amount into my shavings to help with bugs and rodents. They seem to not like the scent and the girls don't seem to mind it. I've did this for years and never had a problem. Course I wouldn't use straight cedar that would just be way to exspensive. I remember my grandpa using cedar logs he cut himself for perches. Said it kept his girls bug free. My parents always used cedar in their coop too, but all they ever raised was meat birds.

Edited as my son wants to know what ex pen sive is. Guess I can't spell tonight.

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

I use straw. I don't like the dust the wood shavings produce and hay can get mold that can make them very sick. I like that I can take a pitch fork and scoop out a whole chunk of poopy straw from under the perches.

 

[kelser01]

I used straw for one week as I was recommended to by a friend. Being a horse person I was really disappointed on the lack of ability to clean it out with out removing all the bedding material so after week one I switched to shavings(the natural pelleted ones) and I really love them. Can pull out the poo with a kitty litter scoop and sift through to get it all. Yes, ex-Pony Clubber here. They are super easy to deal with and the girls like them fine. Although day one a couple of them wanted to stand on the threshold and balk at the new floor.

 

[flocksalot]

Quote:
I know that attitude! We got it going on today as it snowed yesterday. Yesterday they looked outside and turned right back around in their coops , and in one they came boiling out like normal. Stopped dead in their tracks under their awning. They then went right back in then too! Today there was some sun so they had to try it, but boy were they ticked! They also get really angry when I change the color of the plastic covering for the floor. Picky little feather dusters aren't they.

 

[canesisters]

Quote:
I'm SO sorry for your loss and all the trauma.

I'm really glad that some of your birds were spared and that you can start building again.

Is there a reason that animal control hasn't been called for those poor, hungry dogs? If their owners aren't able to take care of them, they should be taken away before they become a (more) dangerous pack.

 

[nuttyredhead]

Quote:
Im so sorry to hear that...

 

[UrbanFarmerGreg]

Personally I use pine shavings, I am trying the deep litter method. But I think it is a personal choice to what you want to work with... Each have good and bad qualities, so use whatever you are comfortable with...

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

Wood shavings are a great way to go but for me straw is the right price - free.

 

[LoveMyFeatherBabies]

We are enjoying using the dried leaves while they are readily available

Call me cheap, but it surely does the job.

I, too, want to know why no cedar? I use it in the dog houses to cut down on bugs and the same with the birds, in their nesting boxes. The shavings are soft, smell nice, and keep pests out.

Have I mentioned that I love this site??