Indoor Chicken Bedding....

[Mudsow]

I had my last indoor chicken for nearly 3 years in the house while trying to come up with a descent type of bedding. I tried EVERYTHING... except. SAND.
Not sure why I didn't do it, maybe I thought it would be too dusty, or messy, but OMG, it makes it so much easier!

The fine white washed playsand $5 a bag. I used 2 bags to fill my 2'x8' cage.

I just quick scoop some poops with a strainer (cat scoop looses too much poop through the holes) sift a bit and voila, fresh as a daisy.

It also works well at drying up those runny occasional poops. I had to section an area off so thier food and water would be just "floor" so it could be sand free, so less waste. but OH MAN, I can't believe I was changing bedding for so long. Scoop, fertilize lawn, scoop, fertilize.... And if it gets too icky, I can still throw it in the lawn.

I'm excited, my new chickens are only 8 weeks old, but so far.... I'm definitly liking the sand.

 

[Mattemma]

Sounds like a good idea. I always use pine shavings.One time tried swheat scoop.

 

[Mudsow]

Yeah, one time I too tried swheat scoop.... She was eating it faster than I could say OH CRAP! and was sweeping it out of there.
So far sand is a BIG winner. 5 minutes. Big spoon the crap into a big strainer sift a bit and it's clean.

I'm soooo loving it.

 

[sillyena]

Sand is wonderful for bedding and will also give some grit at the same time....

 

[robphenix]

We keep indoor chickens (3). They don't have the run of the house. They have an indoor enclosure in our basement with appropriate lighting, etc., and are very happy with it. We take them out for holding and petting, and we usually pet them at night as they fall asleep.

As for litter, I went back and forth with this issue for a while. The problem with the sand is that it creates a fine dust that, over time, can cause serious respiratory difficulties (for humans AND chickens)... and as you surely know, chickens are especially susceptible to respiratory illnesses. Look up silicosis for more info.

Wood chips or shavings was not an option because it's too difficult to clean. What's okay for an outdoor coop is not okay indoors. I needed to be able to sift it to take out the big bits of poop, to keep the place reasonably clean (and clean-smelling). The solution: Fresh Step Natural Scoop cat litter. It's made from very fine pine shavings: Fine enough to be sifted. It's a fantastic solution. They don't eat it, but if some gets into their food, big deal. It won't kill them, as clay litter surely would. I would strongly recommend this solution to anyone keeping indoor chickens!

 

[Mattemma]

Will have to check out that cat liter litter. I just used pet brand pine shaving.Not dusty like my feed store pine shavings.