Straw or shavings?

[justbugged]

I have used both, and I prefer Straw. That said there is a big difference between hay and straw. Hay tends to get and stay wet, and is very prone to get moldy. I also add Stall Dry to the straw in the bottom of the coop. ST helps dry out the poop and what have you in the coop. I have not had any problems with the straw getting moldy. I also like the insulating qualities of straw. I do use wood shavings for the brooder, it seems easier for the chicks to run around in.

 

[abhaya]

I use strw because I Get it free from the farmerdown theroad in exchange for eggs. I have never had a mold problem but my girls free range and are only in the coop at night. I do go out with a pitch fork and turn once a week so any moisture gets a chance to get out. My chickens are also diggers they turn it uo alot when they go in for the night.

 

[flockof4]

Quote:
That's pretty impressive; considering where you live... I'll have to assume they are not free range?

They free range in the yard all day. I only have four birds, so they don't create a lot of moisture or poop. The coop is off the ground and has a wood floor so there's no moisture issue from the ground.

 

[33yardbirds]

I use the shavings for brooding but use straw in the coop only because I compost. Pine shavings are too acidic and living here in the Pine Barrens there's enough acid in our soil already.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Our layers get straw because they were taken off shavings when they were no longer chicks, and now that they forgot what it is, they eat it whever giventh chance. No idea why, they just find it tasty now. Don't want to do crop surgery, so it's straw for them.

Silkies get shavings. We do the deep litter method so there's always fresh stuff coming in.

I prefer the shavings. Less mess, quick drying, soaks up spills better, much warmer, and much better suited for them.

 

[matimeo]

I also use straw. It's cheaper, better for composting and the chickens love to scratch around in it looking for pieces of wheat left in it. I also live in Oregon where it is very wet, but with a raised coop that doesn't leak, I don't have any issues with mold. Oregon is wet, but not terribly humid, thankfully.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I only keep shavings down inside the coop, add fresh all the time in winter. Too many bugs hide in straw inside the coops, been there done that! I only put down straw in the outside runs for them to walk on when they want outside in the ice and snow to save their feet from the cold.

 

[Aria]

Our Barn is "tight" and we use hay. We have a pooper scooper and we remove as much as to poop with some hay and use it for our mulching around the Chicken Yard. Our fenced yard is surrounded with flowers and shrubs. We keep adding fresh hay.

This is when they are free range all day. Winter???? This is our first Winter with Chickens.
It worked with Call Ducks. Time will tell.