Waterproof Bedding for Nesting?

[KWestVA]

I only have one hen, so I have a small coop that I keep inside my screened-in back porch to protect it from the elements. The coop itself is from a professional kit and very well-made. However, using the recycled paper bedding that worked in the brooder is problematic in the coop because it absorbs moisture even if not being rained on directly. Any recommendations for waterproof or fast-drying bedding in this situation? (Blondie leaves the coop to take care of business outdoors, so there's no need to replace the bedding frequently for cleanliness purposes).

 

[DobieLover]

The coop itself is from a professional kit and very well-made

Please post pictures. I've never heard of this before.

The only time betting would be getting wet inside a coop is because the chickens defecated on it or rain or another water source is getting to it. The first is one of the intents of bedding being in a coop. The second requires repair.

On a side note, chickens are flock animals and really should be in a flock. At least 3 birds. But only if you have proper space for them. They do not thrive as solitary animals.

 

[KWestVA]

Please post pictures. I've never heard of this before.

The only time betting would be getting wet inside a coop is because the chickens defecated on it or rain or another water source is getting to it. The first is one of the intents of bedding being in a coop. The second requires repair.

On a side note, chickens are flock animals and really should be in a flock. At least 3 birds. But only if you have proper space for them. They do not thrive as solitary animals.

Oh, there are so many aspects of my chicken situation that are suboptimal due to rookie errors - I'm just trying to eat the elephant one bite at a time! I do have a dog that is considered one of the flock, LOL!

Photo attached. The issue is I live in southern VA, so even if it's not raining, the humidity could be 110%. Also, because the coop is in a protected space, I prop open the doors and hatches to ensure proper ventilation.

 

[saysfaa]

Coffee grounds, wood shavings, grass hay, pine straw. Maybe PDZ.

These aren't really waterproof but I think they will work for you if the moisture is from humidity rather than leaks. It sounds to me like it is.

Coffee grounds can be bought already dried - somewhat similar to wood shavings. Or you might be able to use your own or get some from work places or coffee shops.

The grass hay doesn't have to be bought as hay if you have access to some soft lawn grass like kentucky blue grass or orchard grass or timothy.

Pine straw doesn't grow here so I've never touched any but I've seen descriptions of it being used on this forum by people who like it for this purpose.

You could try a mixture of these kinds of things.

 

[KWestVA]

Coffee grounds, wood shavings, grass hay, pine straw. Maybe PDZ.

These aren't really waterproof but I think they will work for you if the moisture is from humidity rather than leaks. It sounds to me like it is.

Coffee grounds can be bought already dried - somewhat similar to wood shavings. Or you might be able to use your own or get some from work places or coffee shops.

The grass hay doesn't have to be bought as hay if you have access to some soft lawn grass like kentucky blue grass or orchard grass or timothy.

Pine straw doesn't grow here so I've never touched any but I've seen descriptions of it being used on this forum by people who like it for this purpose.

You could try a mixture of these kinds of things.

Thanks!

 

[DobieLover]

Photo attached. The issue is I live in southern VA, so even if it's not raining, the humidity could be 110%. Also, because the coop is in a protected space, I prop open the doors and hatches to ensure proper ventilation.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but that coop is in no way a very well-made coop from a professional kit. It is a little pre-fab and they are always suboptimal. I'm super glad that you don't keep her locked in there all the time. It doesn't provide enough space.

Mentioning the humidity and the coops location on a covered deck are certainly pointing to excess humidity being absorbed. You would never want to use a waterproof material as bedding because you need the bedding to be absorbent. I would use large flake pine shavings in the nest box and the 'coop' and fluff them with a little rake or other tool every morning when you open up the structure to air out.

 

[Bsmac]

She needs some friends! @DobieLover has touched on several key things. Best of luck!

 

[NatJ]

You would never want to use a waterproof material as bedding because you need the bedding to be absorbent.

Whether the "bedding" needs to be absorbent depends on what it is trying to do.

For areas where chickens actually poop, I agree the bedding does need to be absorbent.

But inside a nestbox, it does not really need to be absorbent (example: plastic nestbox pads).

And if the hen really does all her pooping outside, then the bedding is more for comfortable walking on the floor than for any other purpose. Again, not too much need for absorbancy in that situation.

I would use large flake pine shavings in the nest box and the 'coop' and fluff them with a little rake or other tool every morning when you open up the structure to air out.

That definitely sounds like it is worth trying. Fluffing the shavings each day could help with them drying out.

(Blondie leaves the coop to take care of business outdoors, so there's no need to replace the bedding frequently for cleanliness purposes).

The issue is I live in southern VA, so even if it's not raining, the humidity could be 110%. Also, because the coop is in a protected space, I prop open the doors and hatches to ensure proper ventilation.

Depending on the humdity level, you might just be stuck replacing the bedding frequently as the only way to keep it dry.

Or maybe use something like old towels, where you can put in a dry one and hang the damp one up to dry. Hanging in the sun might get it more dry than sitting in the coop. For other kinds of bedding, it might also be an option to cycle it in and out of the coop to dry, rather than using completely new bedding if it is only wet not dirty. At least, that might work if you have some periods of dry weather to work with. If the weather never gets dry, obviously that won't work either.

 

[KWestVA]

Whether the "bedding" needs to be absorbent depends on what it is trying to do.

For areas where chickens actually poop, I agree the bedding does need to be absorbent.

But inside a nestbox, it does not really need to be absorbent (example: plastic nestbox pads).

And if the hen really does all her pooping outside, then the bedding is more for comfortable walking on the floor than for any other purpose. Again, not too much need for absorbancy in that situation.


That definitely sounds like it is worth trying. Fluffing the shavings each day could help with them drying out.



Depending on the humdity level, you might just be stuck replacing the bedding frequently as the only way to keep it dry.

Or maybe use something like old towels, where you can put in a dry one and hang the damp one up to dry. Hanging in the sun might get it more dry than sitting in the coop. For other kinds of bedding, it might also be an option to cycle it in and out of the coop to dry, rather than using completely new bedding if it is only wet not dirty. At least, that might work if you have some periods of dry weather to work with. If the weather never gets dry, obviously that won't work either.

Great idea - thanks!