What do you use for bedding?

[aart]

I was thinking something other than hay might be better but maybe not.

Just about anything would be better. IMO.


What kind of bedding you use may depend on how you manage the manure.
This is about cleaning, but covers my big picture

-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.
-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.
- Large flake pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.
- My runs have semi-deep litter(cold composting), never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.
Aged ramial wood chippings are best IMO.
-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.
That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 8 years.

 

[JubileeFarmer]

Hay is normally used as livestock feed and straw is normally used as livestock bedding. Hay can be used as bedding but it tends to mat more than straw and is more inclined to absorb moisture and get moldy. If your area tends to be dry that may not be a problem but if your humidity is high straw would be the better option.