Official BYC Poll: What type of COOP bedding do you like best?

[daffodyllady]

I've found a free source of chopped straw - the local small farm supply store.
They have a metal carport where they always stack their straw bales for sale.
Every so often, they sell out, and it sits empty for a week or so.
I went to the counter, and told them what I was really wanting was the wet straw that had come loose from the bales, on the floor under the metal carport. It was partially broken down, and perfect for deep winter bedding.
Their answer? Sure! Help yourself!
Next question: Since I work long hours could I stop by on my way home from work, after you're closed, and fill a garbage bag with the loose chopped straw?
Answer: Of course!
So that's my routine. I watch for the straw bales shed to get empty, and take a contractor - grade trash bag along, for stops in the evening on the way home. I can scoop up armloads of the stuff and fill that bag in a jiffy, and tie the flaps closed. It fits nicely into my car trunk.
I love this stuff! It's full of grass seeds so the chickens love to scratch it. And it's high-carbon, so it offsets their high nitrogen droppings perfectly. If it ever starts to smell a bit, I know it's time to water the coop floor and throw in more free chopped straw!

 

[GrammaMickyMouse]

I use Pine Shavings mixed with Industrial Hemp, but before I placed that down, I Sprinkled DE first. I'm adding Hemp more n Winter time as it is Pricey (33lb Bag $45) Deep Litter Method is what I'm trying.

 

[Padmewasmurdered]

I have a wood floor covered in a thick linoleum so I answered “other”. In the winter I add pine shavings (change it out as necessary) so the floor isn’t so cold. In the warmer months I don’t cover the linoleum with anything. So easy to clean!

That is something I kicked myself for after we finished our coop! The first time we cleaned it out I was like we should have covered the whole inside with linoleum. It will definitely be part of next build!

 

[chickencoop57]

I use the Pine shavings from Tractor Supply. I use the whole bail. I just open it up and pour it out in the coop but of course, my coop is only a 4'x8'. Works great! I go in it every other day and just toss it around. I only have to change it out about every 3 to 4 weeks.

 

[jsr5]

after reading about it here on BYC I designed and planned my New coop for my Bantams to use sand on the poop boards in the built in breeder brooders and whole coop floor. Only change I"ve made is reducing the amount to roughly 1/2 an inch started with a inch and a half. It is easy to clean scoop out the big stuff rinse reapeat for a few months then about 2x a year good day early spring and a good day late fall I run all the girls out and sift the whole thing. it was getting pretty dusty after 2.5 years so this spring I scooped out most of it and put it in garden put enough back in to the new 1/2 inch and done. I clean all of it out of brooder breeders dpending on how heavily used and lightly sand it back Love it way cheaper then my wifes coop and the wood shavings. little stall dri is all the extra I need. little of that in everything and over poop until I get around to cleaning it off. every couple weeks. Love it

 

[Echilde]

Mine is elevated and has a wooden floor with linoleum under the roosts. It makes it so much easier to clean! That's for the warm months. In the winter I use equine pine pellets. They soak up moisture like crazy and become a thick saw dust, which is also easy to clean. I also use these for cat litter and for my goats during the rainy seasons, since they're on dirt. I usually use pine shavings in the brooder pen though.

I have tried deep litter but it always seemed too wet. I have tried sand, but ended up with nasty worms under it so that went away quickly.

 

[jjaazzy]

Wood shavings, mostly, though I have also used shredded paper. Leaves make a good bedding, assuming that they're dry, as do grass clippings. The birds love to scratch around in the leaves and grass most of all -- they know that there are bugs and other tasty bits in there!

I am in s Fla. So maybe your grass clippings are different then what I have. I have to mow late in the day so the grass shrivels up before they have much access to it. It has caused impacted crops for us. Our grass blades are long and wide. Say 3/8ths x 2.5" on the small size. I just wanted to give you a heads up so you know.

 

[lovemylilchicks]

straw

 

[jjaazzy]

I use Pine Shavings mixed with Industrial Hemp, but before I placed that down, I Sprinkled DE first. I'm adding Hemp more n Winter time as it is Pricey (33lb Bag $45) Deep Litter Method is what I'm trying.

Please dont use the DE any more, its gladiator balls are bad for the chicken lungs. There is a respiratory warning on the label. hope you dont mind me saying something

 

[Goldmoon]

When we built our first coop 3 yrs ago we went all out and put a very flat (no design or pits) linoleum down and then hay on top.
every two weeks we go in and shovel out the hay and droppings, then I mop with a solution of vinegar, water, small amount of dish detergent and few drops tea tree oil.
probably a bit over the top but I love the ease of cleaning it and know that my girls are healthy and happy.
our second and third coop are just plywood floors with hay down and I am really considering getting my husband to put the Linoleum in them as well.