What do you use in Your Coop?

[stilldeb]

Shavings inside and sand outside. I use a wide tined hand rake in the shavings to rake out the 'clumps' and turn over the bedding and a fine-tined garden rake in the sand outside.

 

[haemony]

Pine and aspen shavings in the hen house. Pine shavings, chopped leaves, finely chopped straw, and sand in the run built up in layers. Deep bedding method. My run is super easy to clean though because they hardly spend any time in there.

 

[babyrnlc]

Quote:
OMG, I have been scooping mine almost every day and changing it once a week

I am sooooo gonna try this!

 

[amydzek]

we use hay in then nesting boxes and shavings or flake on the floor...

 

[haemony]

Deep litter is the best. I clean my house once a month and change it out completely even less frequently. It never smells bad. I think it's healthier for the birds. I just take out any bigger messes and add a new layer of shavings every few days. Sometimes I go a week without adding new shavings.

I do poke at the bedding with a stick though. Checking for snakes. I once went in to collect eggs and a 3 foot long black rat rather lumpy looking snake popped out of a pile of bedding and ran off into the woods. Pretty sure he took my eggs with him!

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Pine shavings 12" to 14" deep. I change them out every 6 to 8 months as needed.

 

[ninabeast]

Sand. Love it.

 

[hudsonhousechicks]

I use rice hulls over sand. It's easy to sift out the big clumps and the hulls dry out fast if they get wet. Also they seem to absorb odor well. And best of all, the rice hulls are a great addition to my compost pile!

 

[ali_moran]

We use about 3" of sand. It is so easy!! I just go out every day (takes less than 5 min) with my kitty litter scooper and pick up any poo. There is no smell because the sand absorbs the odor. My chickens love to take dust baths in it.

 

[Beekissed]

Pine shavings and sometimes shredded paper...one must be sparing with those, if you get too much paper it will clump and hold moisture. I use the deep litter method and clean out twice a year.