Industrial Hemp as brooder bedding?

[robcam817]

Can Industrial Hemp be used to line a brooder bed? I'm going to use it in the coop so thought I'd just start them on it right out of the gate. Any known issues with chicks?

-rob

 

[pennyJo1960]

Can Industrial Hemp be used to line a brooder bed? I'm going to use it in the coop so thought I'd just start them on it right out of the gate. Any known issues with chicks?

-rob

Welcome to Backyard Chickens cost would be my first question I pay about 8 for 3 cubic feet compressed white shavings had to google ..I know of no studies or test with Chickens but unsure I would try it

 

[robcam817]

Thank you. I've seen many testimonials of people using it for many years now, I'm not worried about the issue of using it on full grown chickens, just not sure about chicks. Not sure why it wouldn't be ok though. You might want to research it and deep litter bedding. Cost over the long run is comparable to shavings and much better results, (or so I've heard). I'll let you know from a personal perspective in a year or so...;-)

 

[pennyJo1960]

Thank you. I've seen many testimonials of people using it for many years now, I'm not worried about the issue of using it on full grown chickens, just not sure about chicks. Not sure why it wouldn't be ok though. You might want to research it and deep litter bedding. Cost over the long run is comparable to shavings and much better results, (or so I've heard). I'll let you know from a personal perspective in a year or so...;-)

Start a article on this site with maybe I think there may be others inclined

 

[robcam817]

I'll keep a running thread on my progress and experience.

 

[krh44]

I'm planning on using it for bedding in my coop as well. I was reading through some other posts on BYC and someone mentioned they wouldn't use it in the brooder because of the chicks eating some of the fine pieces, post #15.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hemp-bedding.1152914/page-2

However, maybe for the first few days you can go without bedding (use shelf liner or something non-slippery) in the brooder so the chicks can get accustomed to what is for eating and then you can introduce the hemp bedding. Hopefully eating the hemp wouldn't be too much of an issue at that point.

 

[Ausdudette]

OMgosh - nowhere near the breeding stage but so egg-sited with this site (sorry, oldie but a googly?!). I've put vetch straw in with my pullets (teenagers) & it disappeared so clearly not ideal for bedding in my coopdeville but will still put it in for them to play with.

 

[robcam817]

I'm planning on using it for bedding in my coop as well. I was reading through some other posts on BYC and someone mentioned they wouldn't use it in the brooder because of the chicks eating some of the fine pieces, post #15.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hemp-bedding.1152914/page-2

However, maybe for the first few days you can go without bedding (use shelf liner or something non-slippery) in the brooder so the chicks can get accustomed to what is for eating and then you can introduce the hemp bedding. Hopefully eating the hemp wouldn't be too much of an issue at that point.

Great advise, thank you!

 

[robcam817]

I did a little further research and it seems even if they do consume some of it, shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Grace Brooks]

I know this is an old post, but my babies are 3 weeks old, turning 4 weeks tomorrow, and we have used hemp bedding from the get go, on brooder/coop, which for us are one in the same. It seems fine so far... The positives are it doesn't smell at all, not wet or moldy, and requires very little maintenance, we basically just stir it. I am thinking I might change it out since it's been a month, just to keep things fresh, but it could probably last much longer. For negatives, it tends to get jammed in the coop door which is annoying but not a big deal. It also inevitably falls out of coop into run space and area around coop a bit, even though we have one by fours up as blocks. They do eat it, not sure why or how to prevent this. I am looking for more info about this if anyone can weigh in. They are almost 4 wks/know what is food, so idk what the deal is.