Pine shavings vs hemp bedding

[FluffAndFeather]

Hey y’all! Hope you’re having an amazing day! I’m starting to think more about my coop as I get closer to getting chicks! (24 days!!) I was wondering what is better, hemp vs pine shavings for the coop. Which is better for deep litter method and which is better or regular cleaning? Also do you prefer the deep litter method? Thanks

 

[tlcmurphy]

I don’t use deep litter, but I love hemp and was never a fan of pine shavings. Hemp is far more absorbent, also more expensive

 

[rosemarythyme]

So "deep litter" on here generally refers to a composting litter system that uses moisture and natural microbes to break down poop. Most coops are not set up for deep litter as it's best used with ground contact (no floor) plus most coops are wood, so wood + moisture = not a great idea.

What you see more often is deep bedding which is a dry system, and is not intended for composting in place.

So with that cleared up, I assume you're aiming for deep bedding, in which case either one should be fine.

I myself use hemp under the roosts but my litter management is different - rather than deep bedding I treat my floor similar to a poop tray. Because hemp is more siftable, I use it to sift out poops and remove it for composting in a compost bin.

(Hemp in back under the roosts, wood chips in the rest of the coop because they're free, and no need to fill up my coop with expensive hemp)

 

[FluffAndFeather]

I don’t use deep litter, but I love hemp and was never a fan of pine shavings. Hemp is far more absorbent, also more expensive

Good to know! Thank you

 

[FluffAndFeather]

So "deep litter" on here generally refers to a composting litter system that uses moisture and natural microbes to break down poop. Most coops are not set up for deep litter as it's best used with ground contact (no floor) plus most coops are wood, so wood + moisture = not a great idea.

What you see more often is deep bedding which is a dry system, and is not intended for composting in place.

So with that cleared up, I assume you're aiming for deep bedding, in which case either one should be fine.

I myself use hemp under the roosts but my litter management is different - rather than deep bedding I treat my floor similar to a poop tray. Because hemp is more siftable, I use it to sift out poops and remove it for composting in a compost bin.

(Hemp in back under the roosts, wood chips in the rest of the coop because they're free, and no need to fill up my coop with expensive hemp)
View attachment 4054846

Thank you! Very informative

 

[Toothpick]

So "deep litter" on here generally refers to a composting litter system that uses moisture and natural microbes to break down poop. Most coops are not set up for deep litter as it's best used with ground contact (no floor) plus most coops are wood, so wood + moisture = not a great idea.

What you see more often is deep bedding which is a dry system, and is not intended for composting in place.

So with that cleared up, I assume you're aiming for deep bedding, in which case either one should be fine.

I myself use hemp under the roosts but my litter management is different - rather than deep bedding I treat my floor similar to a poop tray. Because hemp is more siftable, I use it to sift out poops and remove it for composting in a compost bin.

(Hemp in back under the roosts, wood chips in the rest of the coop because they're free, and no need to fill up my coop with expensive hemp)
View attachment 4054846

Have you looked in to hemp cost vs Sweet PDZ cost? I use the Sweet PDZ in my poop boards which is very easy to sift. It's not THAT expensive but I'm just curious the difference between Hemp vs Sweet PDZ. Perhaps the Hemp is a better alternative

Also, where do you get your hemp from?

 

[Toothpick]

I don't have any experience with Hemp but I've used pine shavings in the coop floor for 8 years. Twice a year I change it out. It's like...7 bucks (?) for a bundle at Tractor Supply. 1 bundle is all I need for my 8x10 coop. 2 if I'm feeling froggy. I have a feeling hemp is a lot more expensive.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Have you looked in to hemp cost vs Sweet PDZ cost? I use the Sweet PDZ in my poop boards which is very easy to sift. It's not THAT expensive but I'm just curious the difference between Hemp vs Sweet PDZ. Perhaps the Hemp is a better alternative

Also, where do you get your hemp from?

I haven't, simply because the hemp works well enough for my liking. Since I only do full cleanouts once a year I refresh it as needed and during cleanout I just toss it in the run and it vanishes into the rest of the run litter. A single bag (I think the standard bags are all the same, 33 lbs) lasts me about 1 1/2 years.

I order the hemp from Amazon, price point has been pretty similar between most brands.

Previous to hemp I was using sifted wood chips (essentially sawdust) but as you can imagine the level of dustiness in the coop was crazy.

 

[Toothpick]

I haven't, simply because the hemp works well enough for my liking. Since I only do full cleanouts once a year I refresh it as needed and during cleanout I just toss it in the run and it vanishes into the rest of the run litter. A single bag (I think the standard bags are all the same, 33 lbs) lasts me about 1 1/2 years.

I order the hemp from Amazon, price point has been pretty similar between most brands.

Previous to hemp I was using sifted wood chips (essentially sawdust) but as you can imagine the level of dustiness in the coop was crazy.

Thanks for the reply! I just checked amazon....quite pricey compared to the TSC pine shavings. I think I'll just stick with the shavings. But I can see why hemp would be useful if you are sifting the poo, which I don't

 

[StinkyAcres]

Hey y’all! Hope you’re having an amazing day! I’m starting to think more about my coop as I get closer to getting chicks! (24 days!!) I was wondering what is better, hemp vs pine shavings for the coop. Which is better for deep litter method and which is better or regular cleaning? Also do you prefer the deep litter method? Thanks

Have you looked into pine pellet bedding? I haven't used them yet (I plan to) but I hear the pellets are very absorbent and only need to be cleaned out once or twice a year (of course, that depends on how many birds you have and the size of the coop, etc.).

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/horse-bedding-pellets.1652397/