Pine Shavings How much? and How much?

[enggass]

I will be getting a 4x6 coop. How many bags of Pine Shavings will I need to properly fill it and how much can I expect to pay? How deep should it be?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[CityChook]

Probably one bag (it's compressed) will be a good starting point. I'm guessing that should give you around 4-5 inches of shavings in a 4x6 coop.
I've seen shavings priced anywhere from $5 (Fleet Farm) to $13 (Petsmart) here in MN.

 

[underground chickenman]

One to two bags to start with. That should give you about four inches. Add a couple inches every few weeks after that until you have about a foot. Keep it turned over. The chooks will do most of the work for you, especially if you throw in some scratch or black oil sunflower seeds. Google "deep litter method" or do a search on this site and you will find tons of material on it. In Central Florida, a bag will run you about $4.

UGCM

 

[fiberart57]

Hello,
I'm from Colorado and here I pay $6.00 per bag, for the 3.5 cu ft size, except when they put them on sale for $5.50 (Yippee!). I go through one bag about every three months. I have the same size coop that you have and I don't have poop boards, I just pick the piles up off the top of the shavings with a kitty litter scoop or a doggie pottie pick up bag. I gave up the boards in favor of more room for my six birds.

I had mine very deep this winter when it was so cold but haven't really backed off much. The shavings are about six inches deep and I clean every other day and fluff up the shavings. I keep them deep because I read somewhere that leg injuries can happen if the girls land too hard as they fly down from the roost. So far, no leg injuries.

There are two types of shaved bedding; wood chips and pine shavings. I use the shavings, easier to clean and they are thin enough so that they compost more easily. Some of the wood chips are fairly hefty.

Good luck, Mary

 

[mailmamm]

I was at Walmart today and thought I saw pine shavings for less than $3. They had scratch and layer mix but I think I'll go to the feed store for that.

 

[enggass]

Thank you all...!
Steve