What bedding u use for your chickens?

[PippinTheChicken]

I use hemp in the run and coop floor.
In the nesting boxes I put a thin layer of hemp with straw on top.
In my brooders I also use hemp
Quick advertisement: Hemp Bedding- Why is it the best?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I use shavings if they aren't in my stackers (holding areas for process birds so they aren't staying anyways)

Too bad you aren't closer to me, I'm at the point i'm almost ready to give away pullets because I can't sell them

 

[Pumperkinz]

I use hemp for mine as well. It seems to absorb moisture the best, and I don't have to clean it nearly as much as straw/pine. I use pine for my boxes as well and it's the next best in my opinion. If you have the space for 1-2 more pullets chickens tend to do very well in groups. Good luck with your new chicky!

 

[rosemarythyme]

In the coop I use hemp under the roost, so I can easily sift out poop to clean it, and wood chips in the rest of the coop. I was cleaning out the coop twice a year but switching to once a year now since it really doesn't get soiled if you stay on top of daily clean ups.

 

[3KillerBs]

I wrote an article on it:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/using-deep-bedding-in-a-small-coop.76343/

 

[Ponypoor]

Does it work for deep litter? It's much less expensive than the hemp I'm considering for that.

Horse pellet bedding needs to be 'soaked' with water for it to 'plem' up (fluff for those of you non Newfoundlanders ), so you might as well just go with softwood shavings. This is what I use for my horses and chickies - easy to clean, and controls odour really well.

I would really look at getting a pal for your pullet - from the photos she is very very young. Try Kijiji - you can surely get one or two from there, and if you are not fussy about getting a million eggs you can try for something fancy like Cochins or Silkies (ok I am partial hahaha).

 

[Happy hen lover]

There is a way to find out who else is in your state. Called "where am I where are you " something like that.

 

[SubArcticFowl]

Horse pellet bedding needs to be 'soaked' with water for it to 'plem' up (fluff for those of you non Newfoundlanders ), so you might as well just go with softwood shavings. This is what I use for my horses and chickies - easy to clean, and controls odour really well.

Why do you need them to fluff up? It seems like you are wasting the absorbant power of wood pellets by doing that. I have only been using wood pellets for a week now, but I didn't add any water and don't see the need.

 

[aart]

Has anyone used potting mix in their run? There is not much soil where I live so I grow a lot of stuff in containers using potting mix.

As long as there are no additives, like perlite, fertilizers, etc.

 

[SubArcticFowl]

As long as there are no additives, like perlite, fertilizers, etc.

Well, potting mix typically contains all those things, so if that is dangerous to the chickens, then it is a no-go. The fertilizers would be long gone at the end of the growing season, but perlite is inert and sticks around forever.

Another option would be to buy bags of black dirt. I'd just rake the top layer out and replace it once a year. The dirt I remove can be used to top-dress my berry bushes. My run is covered and well-drained around the perimeter, so I don't need to worry about it getting muddy.