What to put in the bottom of the coop?

[murdeb]

The coop is finished! We are picking up the chickens in the am and I am still confused about the what to put in the bottom of the run. There is a little area under the actual coop that I thought about putting sand in for dust baths. But am at a lost for the floor of the run area. I have heard to use sand, most people don't seem to like the straw, has anyone heard of Hemcore? I live in Florida where the weather is warm for the most part, we do live in a neighborhood so I want to keep the smell down. If you lay down sand, do you scoop it like a litter box? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[ladyride]

Sand is good just scoop like kitty litter. Pine pellets or pine shavings you can sprinkle with food grade DE. All of these keep oder down. good luck !!

 

[sabianshepherds]

Quote:
My vote too! Sand, with DE and sweet pdz.

 

[yellowirenut]

I know a guy who builds furniture for a hobby..i get all his shavings. It a size between commercial shavings and sawdust. Change it out every two weeks and it has a great oak smell.
in the run i am going to put sand down..right now its clay dirt and get stinky in the rain

 

[wayne1614]

I use ti have jus black dirt But I just put cand down a week ago and they love it! I have 24 chickens also in the coop I get shavings from a woos shop and I love those over the store bought they are fluffy and don't pack as tight

 

[SteveBaz]

Quote:
X2 about the sand the shavings are ok too shavings are what they are as long as it is not Cedar