hems_and_hens
Chirping
Hi all - I've read up on some blogs about this, but wanted to get your opinions as well and send a photo of my specific set-up. I am a first-time chicken keeper and just brought my 5 girls (aged ~15-16 weeks) home this past weekend. My partner is an arborist, so he has access to freshly chipped hardwood every day. Because of this, we've chosen these wood chips as the bedding/floor cover for our coop. Our coop is a 14x6' framed-off section of an insulated outbuilding with a concrete floor. On top of that floor I have a rubber mat (like for livestock stalls), and then on top of that we have maybe 1-1.5" of wood chips. These have been dried in the sun and not a kiln - they feel dry to the touch but I can't say with confidence that they are thoroughly dry. As you can see in the photo, they are of varying sizes, much chunkier than shavings. They are from a variety of tree types (no cedar). Current plan is to take out the majority of the soiled chips maybe once per week and replace (sort of playing it by ear in terms of mess/moisture). FYI, we're in central Canada with a very cold climate.
My question is whether anyone thinks (or better, knows from experience!) that this is a problematic bedding choice. Some sources indicate that chips that are not kiln-dried will mold / are too moist. Some people love chips. I'd love to hear your thoughts and if anyone has suggestions for an alternative bedding choice given my set-up, my ears are open!
PS. Since taking the photo I've temporarily walled off the nesting boxes so they don't roost there
My question is whether anyone thinks (or better, knows from experience!) that this is a problematic bedding choice. Some sources indicate that chips that are not kiln-dried will mold / are too moist. Some people love chips. I'd love to hear your thoughts and if anyone has suggestions for an alternative bedding choice given my set-up, my ears are open!
PS. Since taking the photo I've temporarily walled off the nesting boxes so they don't roost there