Thoughts on hemp bedding?

[tbecker826]

I currently use hemp bedding but I tell what it is so dusty in my coop its crazy .. I don't know why. I am thinking of spraying it down lightly with water to calm down the dust. My chickens are 15 week. They roost at night and I have a poop board. They are spending a lot of time in the coop cause its cold in western NY. Any ideas how to cut down on the dust. Opinions are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

We use the deep litter method and I love love love hemp! No dust, no odor. It's so expensive that I have to use mostly pine shavings and just add hemp as I can afford it, though.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I currently use hemp bedding but I tell what it is so dusty in my coop its crazy .. I don't know why. I am thinking of spraying it down lightly with water to calm down the dust. My chickens are 15 week. They roost at night and I have a poop board. They are spending a lot of time in the coop cause its cold in western NY. Any ideas how to cut down on the dust. Opinions are appreciated. Thanks.

I wouldn't add any water, moisture + cold = frostbite.

Is the bedding dusty out of the bag or is this just built up chicken dander? How often do you do full cleanouts? I only cleanout once a year so it gets VERY dusty on cleanout day.

 

[TIckingThymeBomb]

I use Eaton pet and pasture hemp bedding for my quail and love it! I don't seem to have a problem with them eating it and it keeps it smelling nicer. also easier to clean imo

 

[tbecker826]

I wouldn't add any water, moisture + cold = frostbite.

Is the bedding dusty out of the bag or is this just built up chicken dander? How often do you do full cleanouts? I only cleanout once a year so it gets VERY dusty on cleanout day.

This is dusty out of the bag. I just set the coop up or moved the chickens to the coop in sept. I do clean outs twice a year.

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is dusty out of the bag. I just set the coop up or moved the chickens to the coop in sept. I do clean outs twice a year.

Maybe try a different brand. So far none of the hemp I've gotten has been noticeably dusty.

 

[Crazy Camp]

Thoughts/opinions/experience with hemp bedding? From what perused on here it looks like people either sift it daily (like sand) or use deep litter method. The bag says 4x more absorbent (than what?), so I compared it with an equal volume of pine shavings and found both absorb equal amounts of water (pine got soggy and hemp floated on excess water) after an hour. I like the less dust/allergy friendly/no smell, especially for indoor use, but as far as cost and availability I think I’ll stick with pine. What are your thoughts?

I use hemp all seasons, love it! In the winter I over stuff the coop also cover the dirt floor/run with a deep layer of hemp.

 

[tbecker826]

Maybe try a different brand. So far none of the hemp I've gotten has been noticeably dusty.

I will definitely be switching

 

[Mamacluc]

Maybe try a different brand. So far none of the hemp I've gotten has been noticeably dusty.

Apologies for jumping into the thread! I recently started using Dominion Hemp bedding, but I'm struggling with the amount of dust created by the chicken scratch. Please advise. The coop is dry, well built.I am in the NE. Cold winters.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Apologies for jumping into the thread! I recently started using Dominion Hemp bedding, but I'm struggling with the amount of dust created by the chicken scratch. Please advise. The coop is dry, well built.I am in the NE. Cold winters.

Is it dusty right out of the bag, or is this dust that builds up over time? Former would be a quality control issue, latter would be chicken dander and has nothing to do with bedding.