Industrial Hemp as brooder bedding?

[Grace Brooks]

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

I know this is an old post, but did you end up doing this and if so, how did your chicks fare? We have used from beginning, chicks are almost 4 wks and it's great except they do eat it, which I'm concerned about. Then again, I heard they can overeat pine shavings and grit too, so maybe that's a risk regardless. Thanks for any info!

 

[Eri_Oak]

I know this is an old post, but did you end up doing this and if so, how did your chicks fare? We have used from beginning, chicks are almost 4 wks and it's great except they do eat it, which I'm concerned about. Then again, I heard they can overeat pine shavings and grit too, so maybe that's a risk regardless. Thanks for any info!

Where did you buy your hemp bedding? Did you buy it in CA, or have it shipped? Planning to use it in my brooder, if I can get my hands on some in time.

 

[CreveChris]

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.

I've been using hemp bedding for over six months. I change it out every 6 weeks, but with First Saturday Lime and some zeolite, and sifting through a cat box screen, I think I can go longer if I want.

I keep testing my 3-day-old chicks by tossing them a handful of hemp each day to see if they eat it. This week I'll replace their paper towels with hemp. Just being cautious. So far, they taste it but don't eat it.

 

[Freebird24]

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.

I was wondering if hemp bedding will hurt my chicks if they eat some. They are 1 week old. I put some in their brooder.

 

[Grace Brooks]

I was wondering if hemp bedding will hurt my chicks if they eat some. They are 1 week old. I put some in their brooder.

Hello, sorry I just saw this. I don't think it will hurt them. We raised ours with hemp bedding from the get go and it never caused any problems. They did occasionally eat some and I remember being worried at the time wondering if it would hurt them to eat it but they all turned out healthy

 

[Deezchix]

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

Apologies for reviving this thread, but does anyone have negative any feedback or warnings on using hemp for week old chicks and/or chickens? My babies are seriously pecking up the paper towels now. Also having hard time getting the koop clean for my hens.