Depending on the season , humidity , sun exposure and your climate , bedding needs for your chicken hencoop and trial can vary . Be certain you ’re using the right bedding for your flock .
Coop Bedding
Wood Shavings
These are especially absorbent and a not bad wintertime option for the henhouse and nest boxes . downy , soft and insulating , wood grazing like poplar will also absorb wet in the air , melt off humidity that can cause frostbite . During humid conditions , however , woodwind instrument shavings require to be supplant often — bedding should always be as dry as potential . Cedar shavings should never be used in a chicken hencoop . The natural oils in cedar tree that gives it its unmistakable scent can cause respiratory problem in your chickens .
Straw
Straw bedding is n’t as absorbent as woodwind shavings , which is both a pro and a con . It will stay dry than wood shavings , but it wo n’t absorb moisture from chicken shite in the coop , making big messes during damp time of the class . Depending on location and clime condition , some multitude prefer it yr around . Straw bedding is the best choice for the deep - litter bedding method acting that aid create hotness through the winter .
Sand
Sand as bedding is a relatively Modern method inside the coop . What chicken keepers like about grit is that poulet poop can be removed well with a kitty - litter max . During red-hot summers , backbone in the nest box stays coolheaded , collapse hens a seat to chill down . While backbone can be a great and longer - go alternative to absorbent bedding option , Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin is not appropriate for year - round use . In the winter , sand willnotinsulate a chicken hencoop . alternatively , it will wick warmth from your chickens , and they wo n’t be able to keep themselves warm .
Run Bedding
The Ground
In a chicken run that has adequate drainage and stay relatively juiceless you might not need additional bedding , but recollective - condition exposure to very wet condition , plus chicken shit is a recipe for disease . If your test is in a downcast spot or is n’t covered , it will require some enhancements to keep your chickens healthy . If your coop is mobile and go on a regular basis , whether ‘ pasture ’ is in time of year or dormant for the wintertime , the ground will suffice .
A slightly absorbent yet tough material , straw wo n’t break down immediately when it gets wet . Whether the discharge cover or open to the elements , straw is a swell option for chicken run bedding . It will break down lento , and build up the soil in your outpouring to help oneself fill in low-spirited areas . Keep adding refreshful stalk as it breaks down , or scan it out and compost it with your coop bedding . A distinction about straw : If your chicken eat organic provender to farm organic eggs , reconsider using pale yellow unless you recognise its source is chemical - free . Any green goddess or seeds chickens find within the straw to eat up will contain whatever chemical were spray on the hay in the field of operation .
These are not appropriate for a chicken footrace . Even if the run is covered and middling protected from rain , wood shave will become too soaked , encourage bacteria maturation and get smelly .
Sand is a wonderful option for inside the run . Chickens can strike through it and dust bathe in it , and it ’s dependable even if they rust some of it . Sand also provides the full drainage for keep the run dry . Unfortunately , the summer sun can heat sand so much that it can sting chickens ’ substructure , so consider summer sun exposure and subtlety options before sate your run with gumption .
Fall Leaves
Chickens love to scratch through leaves , breaking them down quickly . When the troop is done working on the leaf wad , leave them in the running game or scan them out for covering garden beds or for compost . leave can also supplement deep bedding material .
