Non-dusty beddings

[SweetTea&Chicks]

My five week olds have been sneezing a bit and I'm pretty sure it's cause of the bedding. I use TSC shavings but is there one that is less dusty? I'm thinking about straw.

 

[SkyBlueEmu]

I had a similar problem with shavings and switched to using straw as bedding. I get a 50 lb compressed bale of straw from TSC. I also thought the straw was more absorbent than the shavings and was softer for the chicks.

 

[SweetTea&Chicks]

I had a similar problem with shavings and switched to using straw as bedding. I get a 50 lb compressed bale of straw from TSC. I also thought the straw was more absorbent than the shavings and was softer for the chicks.

Ok thanks! I'll probably go pick some up tomorrow as I need chick grit too.

 

[llombardo]

My local feed store has a flax bedding. It's super soft and not dusty. I have been using this for awhile now.

 

[JDN]

My five week olds have been sneezing a bit and I'm pretty sure it's cause of the bedding. I use TSC shavings but is there one that is less dusty? I'm thinking about straw.

If they're still inside, get them outside!

The dust comes from the chickens, not the shavings.

 

[chickens really]

Yes, chicken dander and confined spaces causes them to sneeze. They are definitely ready for the Coop and Run by that age. My Chicks are raised out doors with Momma from the time she leaves the nest and she has them foraging quickly..

 

[PirateGirl]

Pine shavings come in different sizes too, the bigger flakes/chips should be less dusty. Once the chicks are older they roost and aren't down in the bedding all day every day so they aren't breathing in the dust. You could make them a small roost that's a few inches above the ground. They might spend some time on it.

 

[DobieLover]

About a month ago, I removed all the pine shavings from my coop and replaced them with hemp bedding that I purchased from New Country Organics in VA. I love the stuff. Very low dust.
We are using the DLM and I stir up the bedding every other day with a hand held 3-tined fork used for gardening. The coop is nice a dry and doesn't have an offensive odor. To say there is NO odor around a flock of 11 chickens is IMHO delusional! But our birds generally free range most of the day and really only sleep in the coop and eat their fermented breakfast there. Then they're off.
Incidentally, I moved the chicks out to the "big girl" coop when they were 5 weeks old.

 

[SweetTea&Chicks]

We're building a nice coop for them but the guy building it has not been back. I have a roost in the brooder for them and they always sit in it and sleep on it. As soon as he finishes the coop we're putting them out there. I take them outside about every other day too. I'm not babying them keeping them locked up; trust me.

 

[SweetTea&Chicks]

Sorry if I sounded defensive I've been stressed out lately