Opinions on best bedding for coop and run

[kenp719]

I’m just few weeks, we will be moving our 9 chicks to their coop and run. We live in eastern Colorado where it rains and hails in the spring and summer. What bedding do you prefer? I heard hay retains moisture so I’m not sure if that would be the best option. Pine is my first thought but didn’t know if you all had other ideas.

stay safe everyone!

 

[B-Goock]

I use pine shavings from tractor supply in the coop. Mainly because price, availability, and it works.
When I clean the coop out especially in wet weather I'll throw the used shavings in the run so I get to use it twice. As the run gets "thicker" from poo, shavings, and yard refuse I'll shovel it out down to dirt. Throw that in the garden or compost pile and start again. Chickens seem to make dirt. Lol

 

[DobieLover]

I use pine shavings or hemp bedding in the coop and wood chips in the run. Thick. About 4-6".

 

[paintedChix]

Use all kinds of stuff, but our coops are on the ground. Composts in coop/pens and in the runs.

Leaves, hay, straw, pine straw, veggie/fruit scraps, shreded paper, shredded cardboard. sometimes whole bits of paper trash - napkins, paper towels, tissues.



This is in an 8x8' CP coop w/ the door behind me. These birds free ranged our chain linked area behind house.

Here is a link to my whole DLM photo album - DLM

Edited to add - we have used pine shavings, but have not tried the pine pellets. For nest boxes, our birds seem to like leaves, pine straw & shredded paper over hay, straw or the plastic nest inserts

 

[rosemarythyme]

There isn't one perfect answer because everyone's set ups are different. I use wood chips in coop, deep litter (wood chips, dried leaves, dried grass, yard trimmings) in run. Everything is sourced from my yard so it's completely free and saves on yard waste that would otherwise need to be carted off.

 

[Punkybrewster]

I use PDZ and shavings in my coop, leaves and pine needles from the woods in my run.

 

[aart]

What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture

-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.

-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.

-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.

- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.

-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 5 years.