Pine Shavings or Straw?

[mamading]

Wow! Quite a price difference here in WI. My local feed store sells wood shavings for $5 and it covers 50 square feet. The local farmers around here sell hay for $2.25/bale.
I had been looking for straw and couldn't find any, but now after reading the posts here I guess I'll just get hay instead.

 

[Poison Ivy]

I have used coastal hay in my coop for a couple years and really like it. I fluffy it every so often and replace or add when needed. My chickens stay in the run most of the day so it stays pretty clean. I also like the smell of the hay too.

 

[hencackle]

Up until last weekend, I have been using pine shavings. The only thing I don't like about the shavings is that it takes forever to decompose in the garden because of the high lignin content. So, I decided to switch to hay/straw and toss the coop cleanings in between the plant rows. My garden is rocky clay and needs all the organic matter it can get.

I keep the waterers outside the coop because my chickens are bad for knocking these over. I think my chickens actually prefer this arrangement and it keeps the coop dry too.
Stephanie

 

[Southern28Chick]

I can't use hay because my DH is allergic. I guess I won't even try straw if it sticks do bad. I still have a problem with pine shavings getting in the waterers but I have a blind pullet and I can't hang the waterers or sit them up on anything because she finds the water by stepping in it. Oh well.

 

[pawtraitart]

I use hay. My chickens like to scratch through it so they fluff it and spread it by themselves. I just toss in a flake or two and let them have some fun. They get so excited! Everything stays nice and dry. I've tried straw, but I've found hay to be better with odor control. The bits of dried hay grass that the chickens eat makes their poop less...poopy.