Chickens coops typically have a floor made of concrete, wood, or dirt. And proper bedding should go on top of that.
Essentially, the bedding needs to dry up and catch any manure. It also has to provide them with a comfortable living space. Chickens need somewhere to lay their eggs, nest, and scratch.
There are a few different options for chicken coop bedding materials, and they each have their pros and cons. Learn about the different types of chicken bedding with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
Wood shavings, specifically pine, work well in chicken coops. Pine shavings dry quickly and won’t break the bank. They also don’t break down as easily as other options, so they last a bit longer.
Plus, they give off a great pine scent, which can help counteract the smell of manure.
If you choose this option, make sure you specifically use pine shavings. Some other types of wood are toxic to chickens.
To clean manure from pine shavings, use a pitchfork.
You can use yellow, sturdy chopped straw to line your chicken coop. It’s also great for scratching and rooting, which chickens love to do while in the coop.
The downside is that straw and hay don’t dry out easily, so they’re more susceptible to moisture and mold.
This option can also be more time consuming. If you choose to use hay or straw bedding, you’ll need to change it more frequently. Don’t just scrape out the manure like you would with other bedding options.
However, you can add the used straw and hay to your garden beds to act as a mulch. Hobby farming is all about sustainability.
Sand is another option for bedding. It’s a bit expensive to start with. But if you maintain it and keep it clean, you’ll only need to change it a few times a year.
To clean it on a daily basis, you can use a kitty litter scooper.
Make sure you use builder’s sand, not sandbox sand.
Hemp bedding is another great option. It’s long-lasting, absorbs odors, and is very absorbent. It also works well in nesting boxes.
However, it can be more expensive and harder to find than some of the other options.
If you have enough pine needles, shredded leaves, or grass clippings, you can use them as bedding in your chicken coop.
They’re not as absorbent as other options, though, so you’ll need to replace them on at least a weekly basis.
It’s also important that none of the plants have been treated with pesticides or herbicides. But if you have a big supply of any plant-based bedding, it can be an easy (and free!) option.
At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you’ll find all the poultry supplies you need for your flock.
For more tips on caring for your backyard chickens, ducks, and more, visit our Chickens & Poultry Blog.
