Nesting Box/Coop bedding?

[black_cat]

Planning on getting chickens and wondering about setting up the coop: Is it weird to use different bedding in the bottom of the coop than in the nesting boxes? I've read that sand is easy to clean and has a high thermal mass, which could help in winters, but putting sand in the nesting boxes feels kinda weird to me? I would prefer to use pine shavings/straw for them for some reason. Is it better to use one bedding throughout?

 

[David61]

I have read that sand is a stinky frozen mess in winter up north. Dry warm climate I can see sand but wet and or cold I'll pass. I have liked pine Flakes for both. All depends on your needs and what regular maintenance you are willing to do.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can use same materials or different, it's up to you.

 

[akostka1988]

Don’t use Timothy hay though...they eat it...learned that the expensive way after I bought a big bag of it and layered all 8 nesting boxes lol

 

[chknlittle17]

I'm putting astroturf in my nesting boxes. A lot of people suggested it as it is easy to clean and tends to not get stinky. They suggested pulling the squares out and cleaning them 2x a week, which is doable.

 

[PioneerChicks]

I wouldn't use sand in the nesting boxes. Chickens need more privacy than sand can offer. Try straw or shavings in the nesting boxes, whatever you want on the floor.

My preference is pine shavings. Easy to clean, observed moisture well, good for the Deep Litter Method in the winter (https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...st-way-to-deal-with-chicken-litter-dlm.47740/). I don't use ceder shavings because they are toxic to chickens.

Check out this poll here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ype-of-coop-bedding-do-you-like-best.1384788/

 

[Ms Clucky]

They will et to much sand. Just put pine shavings in floor and boxes. Works for us.