HELP wood shavings do or dont.

[Mamagirl3]

How does anyone know what the right thing to do is??? I have been reading about so many different options for my coop floor. Had decided the pine wood shavings may be something I should try. Then when reading specifically about wood shavings ... there were as many reasons NOT to use it as there were benefits TO use it??? How do you know which is correct??
Then I decided to look into sand ... same thing.. some loved it and some hated it.
Just built a new coop... need to make a choice SOON ... but, I need to know how to make a successful choice? I know no one that has used either?
Thank you.

 

[rosemarythyme]

There's no one answer. What works in one set up or one climate, might not work as well in another.

Would help if you added your general location or climate information, as well as photos of your coop, and maybe a bit about how you'd like to manage waste inside the coop.

 

[mikepeakhanggliding]

I've been using wood shavings for 3 years. I clean my coop daily and compost it all.
It's freely available, lightweight, pleasant to handle.
What's not to like??

 

[raingarden]

You forgot about dried leaves and straw

The chickens are not going to keel over dead using any of the alternatives. So, you have time to experiment. Do whatever is easiest first and adjust if necessary.

 

[Sussex19]

I definitely prefer wood shaving over dried leaves, hay or sand.

 

[chickentendii]

I personally use pine wood shavings in my coop and haven't had any issues. They're absorbent and help keep the smell down. As @rosemarythyme mentioned, climate is probably an important factor in whether they'd be a good material for your coop.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. If you put your general location into your profile people can give better-targeted advice. Climate matters.

I'm a fan of Deep Bedding myself, but there are lots of different management systems -- all of which work for different people in different circumstances.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/using-deep-bedding-in-a-small-coop.76343/

If you try one way and don't like it you can easily try a different way until you find what best suits you.

 

[Toothpick]

I have only ever used pine shavings. The Premium from TSC. They are about 7 bucks each and 2 packs cover the floor pretty darn good. I scoop it all out and add fresh stuff yearly.

I do have the pellet bedding but I‘m unsure how the chickens would like it. kinda hate to spread it all down then have to scoop it all out a week later if the chicks have problems with it. So I’ve kinda just stuck with what works.

 

[henless]

I use large flake shavings in my coop. I like the smell and makes it easy to see anything on the floor. In the run, I use leaves, pine straw and coop shavings when I clean it out. The only time there is a smell is when someone lets out a fresh poop.

I've never used sand, so have no idea how that would work.

 

[sdm111]

Use wheat straw if it's available to you. Pine shavings are too dusty it can lead to respiratory problems. Straw isn't nearly as bad with dust. Straw also wicks liquid so it doesn't absorb liquids and molds like a hay type bedding would.