So Over Shavings - Advice Please

[mommto3kiddos]

As of right now my run is sand and my coop floor bedding is shavings. I HATE the shavings! I tried switching to straw/hay last winter & its was worse!

I have read about doing just all sand, coop/run. I like this idea, but with winter around the corner is it really a good idea?

Temps here range in the 30/40 during winter, cold night maybe hitting teens.

My coop it built "up" and half the run is under it. Hope that makes sense!

Would you make the switch or just keep the shavings till spring?

Thanks

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

You might like the shavings better if you installed a poop board under the roosts with sweet PDZ powder on the poop board. Use a kitty litter scoop to remove poo covered in sweet PDZ. Your shavings will stay cleaner.

There is a thread on here called "poop board convert"
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/621363/poop-board-convert-warning-graphic-gross-poop-pictures

 

[JeffOeuf]

Are you anywhere near a rice growing region? That would be Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and/or California. I love rice hulls, but they're not universally available. If they're available, you can't beat them.

 

[mommto3kiddos]

The problem with the shavings isn't the cleanup - its the whole fact they want to scratch them out into the run and its a PITA everyday sifting the run. Due to the way the layout is of our coop there is no real way to "block" them from tossing them out the door into the run.

And we are in TN, not close enough for the rice, but that is a neat alternative!

 

[Green Lantern]

I hear you about the shavings. I'm not near rice country either. Anyone have other safe ideas besides rice hulls?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

The problem with the shavings isn't the cleanup - its the whole fact they want to scratch them out into the run and its a PITA everyday sifting the run. Due to the way the layout is of our coop there is no real way to "block" them from tossing them out the door into the run.

And we are in TN, not close enough for the rice, but that is a neat alternative!

One of my coops has no lip at the door to hold bedding in. I placed bricks there to hold the bedding in. I am now using a thick layer of sweet PDZ on the floor of the coops. The downside is that along the edges the rain beats in and wets the powder. So I have to keep it scraped away from the wall. I would have to do this with shavings, as well, as wet shavings get nasty.

Additionally, I have to sift through all that PDZ every week or so. It is a lengthy job and I use a kitty litter scoop.

Yes if you are having shavings spilled into the run I'd definitely go with sand or PDZ in the coop. I'd try a small area first if you have a large area to do. You can put some bricks around in a square and trial it. See how poop will scoop out with sand. Some like it and some don't.

 

[mommto3kiddos]

ok thats it - I went and got 5 bags of sand and will be converting over tomorrow. Will post pics when Im done.

Worse comes to worse I will switch back! Thanks everyone!

 

[kuntrygirl]

I love sand! I wouldn't use anything else.