Wood Shavings or Straw

[Barn Maid Ann]

I use both. I put shavings down on the floor of the coop and hay on top. Then I put some shavings in the bottom of the nest boxes and a little grass hay on top. The hens arrange the hay into a nice bowl shaped nest.

I find cleaning the floor of the coop is easy with both. I use a hay fork to pick up the hay as it gets messed upon - every couple or so weeks. The shavings last a long time underneath. Eventually I strip the whole thing out and start over - maybe only twice a year.

We have never had mites, but I have been warned that hay/straw will harbor mites. I have read here that some people put food grade diatomatious earth (sp?) on the bedding to prevent mite infestations.

 

[gritsar]

I only use the hay in the nest boxes. On the floor I have shavings. I dust everything with DE when I turn the shavings.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I use pine shavings in my coop and nesting boxes; dbf uses straw in his. A bale here is running about $5-6. Can't say about the difference between the two in the nesting boxes, but in the coop itself I've found that the straw tends to get muckier faster since it's not absorbent. With the shavings, the chickens stir it up alot better and when it starts to smell, I just add another bag. Only have to empty it out a couple times a year. The straw is every couple months. I could see a benefit to using both together.

 

[agirly4chicks]

I am new to this whole chicken thing but from what I have read I thought that hay can carry around diseases?

I am using the shavings from my dad's planner in my brooder and it is nice because there is cedar shavings mixed in with the the pine and make a nice smell. You can contact cabinet shops if shavings it the route to go they should has some for free.


Good luck deciding

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Hay can get moldy if it gets wet and can cause illness thataway. I only use it in my nest boxes and toss it if it gets dirty or wet.
Cedar shavings is harmful to chicks. It can cause respiratory issues.

 

[agirly4chicks]

Quote:
Hay can get moldy if it gets wet and can cause illness thataway. I only use it in my nest boxes and toss it if it gets dirty or wet.
Cedar shavings is harmful to chicks. It can cause respiratory issues.

Thank you for letting me know about the cedar. Are pine shavings okay for them?

 

[gritsar]

Pine shavings are fine.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I used wood chips only becasue I have heard horror stories of bugs hiding in/on the straw/hay and being transferred to your chickens. And I have also heard many say that they have crop impaction using straw or hay. I was new to this and was not ready to deal with any problems so I just went with wood chips even tho they are a little more expensive. I figure if I have to medicate them for something it would cost more in the long run anyhow. JMO

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

I use pine straw or needles because the trees just drop it beside the coops anyway. They seem to like it for several years.