Where do you get your bedding from?

[Tigerjane]

After reading around this site for a while, it seems like most people use pine shavings or sand in their coops and runs. My question is: where do you get your bedding from, and how much do you go through?
(By September I plan on having about 8 chickens, and I'm trying to figure out 1) what food and supplies I want to use 2) where to get the supplies from 3) how much is this hobby going to cost on a routine basis?)
Thanks guys!

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

I buy pine shavings from the local feed store. I use the same shavings for my horses. The coop floor is vinyl with four inches of shavings - 1 1/2 bags. There is a droppings board under the roost and I clean the poop off of that every morning. I also scoop up the obvious poop on top of the shavings and once a week stir up the shavings. The coop is 6x8, the pullets have been with us for a month and it doesn't smell or need to be changed. A bag of shavings in our area is $6.00.

 

[trimpy]

I get shavings for 5.50 a bag, and pine pellets for 6.50 at TSC. I am really liking the pellets over the shavings. I am also trying out sand, which I got 1200lbs from a local concrete supply place for $19.

 

[ericstac]

most of the lumber yards sell bags and truck loads.. bags are $3.00 and truck loads are $25.00

 

[darkmatter]

From the lawnmower clippings bag, and raking up the pine needles/cones etc. Grass, leaves, pine needles/cones, it's all good for the deep litter method. I have even used a machete to cut down tall weeds and run them through a chipper-shredder (corn stalks work too!) When all else fails---then I might buy a bale of wood chips from the feed store. I have even raised chicks/keets in a cardboard box brooder with dried out lawnmower clippings. Now I use an old stock tank.

 

[calista]

We regularly stop at our local high school and collect FREE pine shavings from the woodshop student projects, with the teacher's blessing!

Ask around. You never know...

 

[Tigerjane]

Wow, I love how specific these answers are - this forum rocks!

 

[tylermckee]

From the planer, jointer and drill press in the garage, they all make big chips that work great, just make sure there is no walnut cause from what i understand it kills.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:Are you aware that ground walnut shells are sold as bedding in pet stores? A local bird store (mostly wildly expensive parrots) uses it in the bottom of all their cages.

 

[johny]

A sawmill about 25 minutes from home.
Bag your own for 2 dollars a bag. No limit on how big a bag you bring.
Or they will scoop a truck load for 10 dollars