Choosing the Right Bedding for Your Backyard Flock: A Guide for Dummies (Like Me)
Are you new to chicken-keeping and not sure what type of bedding to use in your coop?
Don’t worry, you’re in good company! I had no idea when we first got the feed store, but now I know a thing or two about choosing the right bedding for flocks. That’s why I wrote this guide – to help newbies like me learn more about the different types of bedding available and how they can help keep our chickens healthy and happy. So let’s dive in!
Pine shavings are one of the most common beddings used by chicken owners. They provide an absorbent surface that can absorb liquid droppings quickly, helping keep your coop clean. The chickens love pine shavings in their nesting boxes, it can be easily pushed around and makes the space comfortable. The plus side, pine shavings are readily available and cost effective.
Straw is another popular choice for chicken coop bedding and provides a comfortable surface for your flock to sleep on. Straw also helps absorb moisture better than other types of bedding such as newspaper or pine needles. The main drawback with straw is that it can be harder to clean since it tends to stick together in clumps when wet. It also doesn't last as long as other types of litter due to its tendency to break down quickly.
Hemp is becoming a popular option for bedding and if you're looking for a sustainable option for your chicken coop bedding. Hemp has natural anti-bacterial properties that help reduce odor and protect against bacterial growth. It's also highly absorbent so droppings will be absorbed quickly, keeping your coop smelling fresh longer. Hemp does tend to cost more than other types of bedding but it is a great option if sustainability is important to you or if you want something with natural bacteria fighting properties.
Deciding on which type of chicken coop bedding is best for your flock isn't always easy but there are some things to consider before making a decision such as cost, sustainability, odor control and absorption rates. Pine shavings are a popular choice because they are relatively inexpensive but may contain dust which can irritate chickens' eyes and lungs so make sure you get kiln-dried wood shavings with very little dust content if possible. Straw provides a comfortable surface for chickens to sleep on but tends to break down quickly and can be harder to clean since it sticks together when wet so might not last as long as other types of litter options such as hemp which has natural anti-bacterial properties that help reduce odor and protect against bacterial growth while being highly absorbent at the same time - although hemp does tend to cost more than other types of bedding so only choose this option if sustainability matters or you need something with natural bacteria fighting properties!
Ultimately, choosing the right type of litter comes down to evaluating all these factors before making a decision that works best for you and your flock! Good luck!
