Using pine needles for coop questions.

[donna873]

can you use mulched leaves? Right now with yard clean up, I am just mulching them and dumping them, can I use them in the coop?

 

[NewPoultryMom2019]

Thank you everyone!!

 

[henless]

can you use mulched leaves? Right now with yard clean up, I am just mulching them and dumping them, can I use them in the coop?

Yep! Mulched leaves will break down nicely and make some great compost.


I use dry leaves/pine straw all the time. I like to use a mix so that it doesn't pack down in the coop/run. I leave the pine cones & small sticks in the mix also. I will go back and pick out some of the pine cones if there seems a lot in the pile. This is after the chickens have scattered the litter all around.

Dry pine straw makes great bedding for the nests. I usually rake up some nice dry straw and store it in feed sacks to replace in the nest through out the year. I try to get just pine straw. Any with leaves I use for the floor.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

I am constantly throwing dry leaves and pine needles in the coop and run. They have them broken down by the next day...it is crazy! I also throw in twigs and pinecones, and they love to pick at them.

 

[Helloworld]

So I just learned that pine needles could be used as a bedding inside of coops, and I am very interested in trying it out. I have basically a small forest of pine trees right in my back yard. I just have no idea the "right" way to do it.
I have 2 ducks (Pekin) and 4 chicks (2 White California 2 Black Sex Link) who I will be using the pine for.
Can I just trim a few branches off and wait for the needles to dry? What's the best/fastest way to dry them? Do they need to be rinsedOr do I just rake up the already dry one's on the ground? And if I do rake them up, do I have to make sure it is clear of other debris(like leaves and what not)?
Should I add anything to it to help with absorbency?
Anyone with experience with using their own pine needles please feel free to let me know any pros and cons.
Thank you!

Only one problem... a favorite bedding for snakes as well, especially Timber Rattlers, and coral snakes.

 

[NewPoultryMom2019]

Only one problem... a favorite bedding for snakes as well, especially Timber Rattlers, and coral snakes.

I will have to keep an eye out for snakes then lol.
I'm pretty sure we only get little garden snakes, but I will stay vigilant.

 

[PapaRooster1]

I know that the topic is quite old, but thanks to all participants for their answers. Pines grow around my lawn, and I was looking how I can use them.

 

[PapaRooster1]

By the way, did you know that there are special rakes for pine needles? I recently came across a review and was surprised . I decided to buy one of those that is recommended in this review for choosing rakes for pine needles https://thetoolassistant.com/best-rake-for-pine-needles/ and realized that with suitable tools it is much easier to do than before . And what are your options for using needles? I heard some collect them and sell them.

 

[3KillerBs]

I live in the Sandhills area of North Carolina. Selling pine straw -- the long needles of the Longleaf and Loblolly pines -- is part of the ag industry here.

My experience with my in-town coop was that pine straw was great in the run as part of the deep litter but not sufficiently absorbent in the coop.

 

[pintail_drake2004]

I add pine straw all year long to the coop and run. I just rake it up when there is a pretty good layer on the ground. That combined with the hay, grass clippings, mulched leaves and wood chips creates a nice compound inside the coop and run.