Straw, or wood chips?

[Cynthia12]

I'm curious as to what you are using. I've heard that straw can hold bugs that aren't healthy for chickens inside the hollow part of the straw. So, I've been using shavings. I know it would be cheaper and probably easier to clean up, plus cover better. Anyone hear about the pests inside the straw?
Thanks, Cynthia

 

[LuvinMyPeeps]

Hi, I've heard that too, which is why I've never tried it. I vote for pine shavings in the coop and once they peck out all the grass in their run and you're left with dirt/mud, cover with sand. I've heard great things about the sand too. I have shavings in my coop and I really like it. It's easy to clean and keep dry - just make sure there's enough ventilation or nothing will help if the air gets too stuffy in the coop, which is not good for them.

Right now I have a large wall slanted roost at a 45% angle from wall to floor and they love it. i just scoop their droppings each morning, but plan to add a dropping board since that will keep it even cleaner and less hassle for me. The bending and scooping is a bit of a pain...and they can be so spoiled and lazy...they don't even get off their roost when they see me scooping under them...I have to watch for dive bombers....little love buckets! tee hee.

 

[BWchicken]

Yes, I've heard of people accidentally bringing an infestation of mites to their coop from using straw. Apparrently, the mites like to hide and breed inside the shafts of the straw. That's not likely to happen with the shavings. Also, shavings will quickly absorb the moisture in poo and dry it out, straw won't absorb at all.

 

[Surehatch]

Try pasteurize it

 

[1eyejer]

Ive tried straw and found that it is very hard to scoop out, so now i use sawdust from a sawmill, much easier to work with and very absorbant

 

[Bantimna]

I don't have chickens, but the pro's and con's I have experinced, I must agree sawdust can cause respiratory problems so shavings have been a better option.

 

[Cynthia12]

Quote:
First of all, thanks for all of the thoughts...I do use the shavings in the coop, and outside...expensive using for the outside too, so, I am really excited to hear about the sand....anyone else using sand? I just may have to go to that, I'll bet it lasts longer than the shavings out doors, and...I am thinking now that it just may be the perfect solution for my dog area! Is there any particular type of sand..as I know there are different kinds. Thanks again!!

Cynthia

 

[RocketDad]

I get "mulch" (shredded limbs of a highly variable size and quality) from the city "tree dump" a couple times year. I put a couple of wheelbarrow loads in the run during the fall and let the hens spread it out.

During the worst of the winter I tossed the old shavings from the coop on top of the snow in the run to lure the girls outside on sunny days.

I haven't cleaned the run yet, but they seem to be enjoying the run as it is. A bit wet, but that's a location problem - the snow didn't melt out of the run all winter. I gotta move the whole thing 10 or 12 feet north to get out of a winter shadow from the neighbor's garage.

{edit for clarity}

 

[tammyd57]

I've used deep litter straw all my life for my chicken coops and never had an infestation of any bugs. It makes great compost twice a year, less shoveling & cleaning too. I live in a very dry hot climate, so I think this might be different elsewhere.

edited to say: My coops are always 3-sided, so no ventilation or odor problems either.

 

[LuvinMyPeeps]

Hi Cynthia,

I've heard opinions about two kinds...childrens play sand or builders sand. I've used the builders sand since it's a bit coarser and I heard easier to work with when it rains. I'm not really sure which is better, but I put out 3 bags of 50 pound bags in a small square area in a grassy run for them to dust bathe in outside. It was right before the big rain here in Virginia and now it's just as clean as the first day I put it in. I'm loving it sofar! The poop sticks to the sand and clumps like kitty litter, so you can just scoop their poops out, which is nice!!!!