What do you use on the floor of your coop?

[andalusn]

I cover the wood floor of the hen house with Natures Pine bedding pellets. I buy them for the horse stalls but will fluff up a bucket full with water and spread it on the floor of hen house using more right under the roosts. I clean it about every two weeks. The only place that is messy is the floor under the roosts. In the nest box area I use grass hay. The hens really like to get the seed heads it contains and then they make nice soft nests for egg laying. I change that about once a month to freshen it. I am on acerage so getting rid of the used bedding is not an issue as I have a compost pile.

 

[mrkep]

I am just starting planning/building of my coop, ordered 12 buckeyes today. people refer to "pine shavings" for the floor of the coop, I have a dust collector for my woodshop and generate 1-2 barrels each week. The stuff is bigger than sawdust but not uniform in size. Usually a lot of oak and some pine and poplar. Would this material be safe for the floor of the coop?
Thanks in advance, I will probably have lots more questions.
Bill Kepley (mrkep)

 

[rileysgranny]

We usually use wheat straw, but DH read that play sand was a good option, so he bought a bag and has been putting it in the brooder, which is actually a dog kennel. I've seen the chicks taking dust baths in it and pecking or eating it as well and have been concerned about them eating too much. But I'm letting him take the lead this go round. Any opinions about using sand?

DH thought it would be easier to clean up, but IMO it's not.

 

[andalusn]

Quote:
I would suggest contacting the state veterinarian office. They usually have an avian health department. I know with horses it is critical to stay away from bedding made from certain woods as it is toxic and simply standing on some types of wood shavings can cause a fairly quick death. I had a friend in the same situation. Husband had a busy wood shop and I think in her case it was walnut that was the problem.

 

[eenie114]

Dirt floor wth hay on top. In winter the poop and hay compost nicely and help keep them warm.

 

[Texasboy4ever]

Dirt, Pine shavings

 

[fiddleblue]

The coop has a plywood floor covered with tacked-on linoleum to help prevent damage to the plywood with poop & spills. Then pine shavings go on top of that which are inexpensive at the feed store for a whole bale, and work better than hay or straw.

 

[NWChicks]

Quote:
My husband is a woodworker by trade and commented that oak has a lot of tannic acid in it. When he works with oak products, they stain his hands purple from the combo of the acid and the moisture in his hands (esp. summertime). I'm new and don't know the answer but he also cautions against using anything that is plywood, mdf, particle board dust, anything that has chemicals in it. Being dust it wouldn't be good for their respiratory systems as well as the skin contact. Hope you find the answer!