Hemp bedding ok for bird with eyelid problem?

[DonyaQuick]

I have a pullet who injured her eyelid right out of the egg, so she has one eye that closes a bit wonky and is therefore prone to getting small debris in it. I had to switch her flock's coop from a mixed size pine bedding that was really absorbant to large flake to minimize dust and smaller particles that could get stuck in her eye. Her eye has been fine since that change. However, the large flake shavings is just not very good at handling the manure plops from the rest of her flock - which tend to be both massive and on the wet side (they are big hefty birds, large size cochins and crosses). The large flake shavings does very little to handle the moisture, which was a pain this summer for attracting bugs even with daily cleaning. I didn't have that issue with smaller size pine shavings that helped soak things up better. I am wondering if hemp bedding could be an improvement in that department while still being ok for a bird with an eye that's prone to getting small particulates in it? I unfortunately can't get hemp bedding locally; I would have to order it. I've never seen the stuff in person and find it really hard to judge the size of the pieces from pictures.

I already am aware of the price point oof with hemp; I'm not worried about that for this one flock so much as trying to keep the moisture down while being bad-eye-friendly if it's possible to do both.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Unfortunately, Eaton Pet and Pasture changed the cut of their hemp while I was using it this spring. It used to be a decent size, but now might be problematic for your pullet. I'll attach a photo of the "good size" so you can get an idea. This was my 3 week-old d'Uccle pullet, so very small.

 

[DonyaQuick]

Unfortunately, Eaton Pet and Pasture changed the cut of their hemp while I was using it this spring. It used to be a decent size, but now might be problematic for your pullet. I'll attach a photo of the "good size" so you can get an idea. This was my 3 week-old d'Uccle pullet, so very small.

Bummer...I guess it really is just a gamble then. The "good size" you showed looks like it would actually be just fine for my pullet, but also because of the shape of the bits not just the size. Maybe smaller as little logs like that would also be ok...hard to know for sure without trying it. Small, flat, flexible bits of things are the worst for her since they can slip right under the eyelid so easily. I've never found something small but thick like actual wood chips stuck in her eye. So if there's nothing leaf-like or shavings-like that in the smaller size hemp then I'm still somewhat optimistic.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Bummer...I guess it really is just a gamble then. The "good size" you showed looks like it would actually be just fine for my pullet, but also because of the shape of the bits not just the size. Maybe smaller as little logs like that would also be ok...hard to know for sure without trying it. Small, flat, flexible bits of things are the worst for her since they can slip right under the eyelid so easily. I've never found something small but thick like actual wood chips stuck in her eye. So if there's nothing leaf-like or shavings-like that in the smaller size hemp then I'm still somewhat optimistic.

The company's pretty responsive, so I'd email and ask them to send you a photo of their current batch. If it doesn't match what you receive, you can request a refund. I've been very impressed by their customer service!