pellet litter

[Anny]

I know some people on here use wood pellets as a litter in the coop? how do you feel about this? do you like it, hate it? have you tried it?

I'm not so happy with the pine shaving...they are messy and dusty and make me sneeze. I wanted sand but my coop isn't really designed to hold up sand.

 

[FarmGirl21]

We only use that for the rabbits in the poo pans. I would think the chickens might mistake it for layer pellet or something though.

 

[Featherland]

I use it for chicks because they eat the shavings but it does break apart when it gets wet. I think it would be too expensive for a whole coop.

 

[trulyviolet]

i use it all the time in my 4X6 chicken coop
it DOES break apart, it's supposed to
you can treat it like deep litter
add DE and fluffy it up

it keeps smells down much better then the shavings
i hated the shavings when i used them

now it does occationally get some small black bugs in it after it's broken down
but i notice that the larva is eatten by the chickens

three bags will do 4X6 about 2-3 inches deep
and you can add a bit more on top from time to time
the chickens will break it down

vi

 

[bheila]

I use it in my duck coop and absolutely love it. Way better than using pine shavings. I can't wait to try it in our new coop were just finishing up. I have heard that it does help to get it wet some to break it up. But then it is just some peoples preference.

 

[trulyviolet]

i use dried leaves in the duck's day pen and newspaper in their crate for the night
i never thought of using the pellets for them
but i have been using it for the chickens for years now

when i finally get the new duck coop built, i am planning on using it in the actual coop
and dried leaves in the runs

vi

 

[ametauss]

Okay, maybe a silly question but when you say wood pellet, are you talking about the stuff you would use in a Pellet Stove in the house??

 

[ChanceRider]

I use it and love it. My chicks have been on it since the day I brought them home... never a problem with them trying to eat it.

I use the pellets and shavings in their coop, along with DE. When the pellets break down the chicks love to dust bathe in the remains before I add new pellets. I don't notice any smell in my coop, have very few flies, and I have 9 chickens and 2 ducks in it.

 

[bheila]

Quote:
They look just like them, but they are called stall pellets and have different glues and such in them making them safe for animals.

 

[trulyviolet]

horse people normally use them
i ask for pellet bedding

mine dust bath in there too

the chicken pens were just cleaned this weekend
so they are on new pellets
they love to peck and shred them

vi