[Andy1982]

Hi everyone . We just bought our first 9 chooks and i made a coop for them which they seem to be happy in. I did;nt realise how much they dump[ from a height and was just wondering what is best for bedding and how deep. We are using straw atm as that is what we can source but i did see milled straw somewhere the other day.

Thanks

Andy

[gavo]

We use a mixture of chopped straw and shavings; in both our duck and hen housing; the shavings are very absorbant and the straw seems to make it cosier and softer under foot. Also straw on its own is a pain to clear out just doesn't gather up easily and seems to be excessively wet and almost slimy.We buy both from our local feed merchant in very densely packed bales.

[Andy1982]

Thanks for the imput gavo. i think i will have to go for something more absorbant and your right the straw is not the easiest to clean up.

[Rosemary]

I use Hemcore. It's not cheap - about £10 for a bale but it's very absorbent, so you can use it quite sparingly. It's nice to handle and dust extracted. It's a waste product from hemp grown for paper - hemp is grown with little artificial inputs, so it's quite environmentally friendly. It also rots down into compost in 8weeks or so, unlike shavings or straw.

[Daveravey]

I'm a Hemcore convert too 

Nice & easy to use & a bale lasts for ages.

Smells quite nice as well, so no ammonia stench in the coops   

[faith0504]

i use shavings and i put down a bale at a time, nice cosy hen house for my girls,

[doganjo]

I use Hemcore. It's not cheap - about £10 for a bale but it's very absorbent, so you can use it quite sparingly. It's nice to handle and dust extracted. It's a waste product from hemp grown for paper - hemp is grown with little artificial inputs, so it's quite environmentally friendly. It also rots down into compost in 8weeks or so, unlike shavings or straw.

Is this available down here, Rosemary?

[JulieS]

There is a list of distributors on their website www.hemcore.co.uk 

[Womble]

Yes, I have had Hemcore from the Boquhan shop near Kippen before, and we've found it excellent. We don't damp it down as the instructions say, but instead give it a good soaking once it's in the compost heap, and it rots down really quickly. Russells in Larbert sells something by another name which looks more or less the same too, so you can definitely get it in the Central Belt.

[doganjo]

I see McCaskies at Springkerse have it.  Thanks all.  I'll give it a try.

[little blue]

straw may harbour mites, if this is a problem with your birds...

[princesspiggy]

a nice thick bed of shavings, then skip out worst once a week, and replace thoroughly when needed. if youve youngsters sitting on the floor, extra straw on top is nice for them to snuggle into.

[sheardale]

I put newspapers down then straw on top.  Put all on compost heap when cleaning out.  I have shavings down just now on top of the papers.

[northfifeduckling]

I had to stop using shavings as the young birds were eating them - I watched them do it, not just having a peck, sadly 
Back to straw on Lino.  lino, carboard and straw for the ducks 

[doganjo]

Same for me at the moment but might try the hemp