Which is better pine shavings or straw?

[FarmGirl01]

I use straw in the laying house. The house contains hens and goats. I use pine shaving in the brooder house. The straw tends to get heavy if moist. I throw a few handfulls of corn to get the hens to stir up the litter. I stays dry that way. I like to use the shavings for the chicks. Its easier for them to get around and I can change it when needed. Both the old straw and the shaving go straight to the garden.

 

[BayCityBabe]

I have a cement floor that has mysterious damp corners which I sprinkle with Sweet PDZ. The rest of the coop gets pine shavings. Pricey, yes, but I hang out with my birds & like it clean. Just couldn't stand the smell when I used straw.

 

[FarmGirl01]

I would be willing to bet that with the concrete or wood floors shavings works best. And with dirt floors straw is good. I also like to sit with the birds in the coop. I have my little chair. Stall dry is wonderful with keeping the place dry and smelling good.

 

[Gloria]

Thanks for your help everyone. I was just curious because it seems everyone here does the pine shavings thing. And here I am over here using just straw. I also have a wood floor in one of those red and white Home Depot sheds. They have a loft in it that I'm also trying to figure out what to do with. I have 8 chickens in there now. I think its the right size, but not sure. A little more room might be nice for them.

 

[sundance]

I use hay in both the coop and the nests, easy to take the pitchfork and remove it with all the poop. goes on the garden I use DE on both nests and coop and take a handful and put it on the roosts in case of mites or any bugs,

marrie

 

[MsBentleyboy]

I finallly found pine shavings and now I'm wondering how to clean it up once it's ready to be changed. I guess a shovel would do, right?

I just used a pitch fork to scoop up the hay that I've been using and it works well.

 

[dangerouschicken]

I have used both straw and pine shavings, but prefer pine shavings. The only problem is the price. Pine shavings can really add up after a while.

 

[FarmGirl01]

A snow shovel works great on shavings.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Quote:
Yep - shovel it into a wheelbarrow and dump it right in the garden!

 

[therealsilkiechick]

i have above ground coops(4ft off the ground). i put the rubber maid tub under the door. use a hoe to pull it from the front of the coops to the back half. then i use a dustpan to pick it up to drop it into the tub below. when the tub is full it gets emptied on the compost pile.