Straw, or wood chips?

[elmo]

Sand is wonderful! I won't ever use anything else.

I use play sand that I bought in 40 lb bags from Lowes.

 

[luckyramu]

can i use sand inside of the coop?

 

[JacksFlock]

Are pine shavings ok to use if there is hemlock mixed in?

 

[flockof4]

I've only had chickens for about 4 months and I've used straw and hay the whole time and had no problem. I started using mostly straw then switched to hay. They love it in their nesting boxes and on the shelf they sleep on. I check them regularly for mites and whatnot and haven't seen any sign.

 

[Cynthia12]

Ok, so I'm thinking cedar shavings would be best inside the coop instead of the pine, because I've also come to learn it can cause respiratory problems in other animals such as pet rats, hamsters, gerbils...so that makes sense! I know I come out coughing like crazy after changing the pine shaving, pretty dusty..it does settle, I do have quite a bit of air flow in the top of it, but I still think the pine would be good. Also, going to go check the prices of sand at the wood dump, we also have a place that recycles wood into chips..and, go to a nursery that I know of that not only sells trees, flowers....but also sells sand, rocks, different types of pine shavings. Wow. You all have given me some things to think on and go check out. Thank you so much. I really like the idea of the sand clumping the chicky poo.

Did any one see the question about having sand inside the coop? My personal thinking on that would be to have something other than sand inside..especially the nest boxes. Of course that would be for my coop. My coop is not a real "huge" coop..pretty big, and nice..doesn't move..my hubby really has that thing built well, and cute...people were asking when he was going to put the chandelier in before he was done.

I got more than I asked for, but that's him, he loves to build, so this was a fun project for him.
Back to the sand inside...any suggestions for whoever it was that asked? (sorry, can't remember name)
Going to go check on some things today...!

And, tomorrow I go into lock down with some eggs..

I'm pretty excited, I should have me some new babies by mid next week. Cuckoo Marans, and Americana, and the mix of a Cuckoo Marans and black star..should be interesting.

Cynthia

 

[rainierlass]

NO CEDAR!!!

It is toxic to chickens - - use the white shavings - - I sprinkle Stall-Dri ( contains DE and clay) on mine and
stir it about once a week - I also have a poop board under my roost to cut down
on the amount of droppings in the bedding.

 

[cybercat]

We use tree chippings from the power lines as our main bedding. In winter I topped it with straw I got from Lowes so those sleeping on floor were a bit warmer. We free range our flock they do not have a pen at all. Coop is very open around the roof for venulation, it is also part on ground and part of ground. We did not change bedding all winter all I did was add more as it broke down. We never had any bug problems at all. Chickens make fast work of any they see and my bunch regularly dust bath so mite are not a problem.

Oh one can use cedar as long as it is in a well ventalated coop. My chickens hang out in our cedar trees all day long even eat it. Most package cedar has extra cedar oils added so I would not use that but tree cedar that has aged a few week is fine for in the coop. Again as long as it is a wel ventalated coop.

 

[Cynthia12]

Quote:
Thanks rainierlass, I think I will stick to the shavings, since I haven't had a problem with the chickens. I like the idea of something to catch droppings from the roost. I do have great ventilation in the coop, big screen openings at two top ends, and in good weather, big windows that open on each side. I really like the idea of the sand out side of the coop...rained all day here, so will go get some when it stops, if it ever stops! It's been raining all week! This should give you all an idea of what my chickens have been doing...

Thanks to all...if anymore ideas...please share!!
Cynthia