[YoungRasher]

Thanks for your help.

[YoungRasher]

Can I use saw dust in the metal tray under the perches in the hen hut. we have been using shavings that we got when we bought the hens, this is about to run out and i have free access to as much sawdust as i want. Its from pine wood not mdf etc.

[chrismahon]

I think you can use sawdust in that application YoungRasher. Need to make sure it isn't damp or mouldy and any breeze through the coop when the pop-hole is open doesn't raise dust that the chickens could breath in. Wood shavings are normally dried and dust extracted. I presume they can't reach it and scratch about.

[YoungRasher]

They could probably get to it if they really tried but they would be wedged in between the roosting poles.
Do we even need something in the metal tray?  we will still use shaving in the nesting boxes.

[chrismahon]

A sheet of newspaper in the tray would be fine, or even nothing at all. But getting poo out stuck to the tray may be difficult, so I'd put something in as a barrier.

[YoungRasher]

the tray slides in and out so its easy enough to keep clean.

If the saw dust is not a problem for them i'll just put enough in to stop the muck sticking to the steel.
Thanks for your help.