Author Topic: ideal bedding (Read 6174 times)

waterhouse · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2011, 11:21:27 pm »

We use the cross-cut paper shreddings. I have a lot of confidential papers and it works a treat and rots down nicely.

ambriel · « **Reply #16 on:** January 10, 2011, 11:47:46 pm »

We use straw for our girls. I was advised against hay because it can harbour parasites.

It can be a bit of a pain to shovel into a sack when you're clearing them out - especially if you're doing it on your own.

We also keep a few pigs so it makes sense to standardise the bedding with the two animals rather than double-up.

OhLaLa · « **Reply #17 on:** January 11, 2011, 11:29:30 am »

You say from a height so I'm assuming they are perching ok? If so, put a droppings board under the perch which you can easily remove for cleaning. It will catch the poop and therefore keep the floor below much cleaner.

Straw/hay is ok for the nests but keep it dry. Change it regularly. Shavings on the floor helps with the daily muck collected underfoot, but, the birds SHOULD be perching (perches are for sleeping, nests are for eggs) so use a droppings board.

northfifeduckling · « **Reply #18 on:** January 11, 2011, 12:25:08 pm »

I found hay was better with absorbing moisture but very dusty, so not good for the birds' lungs.
I can not stop mine from sleeping in the nesting boxes, some of them always huddle in there to keep warm...

doganjo · « **Reply #19 on:** January 11, 2011, 12:47:59 pm »

Mine all congregate at the back corner of their shed - only two LS will perch, so I have to put bedding down too.

faith0504 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 11, 2011, 02:00:01 pm »

none of my hens perch, thats why i put a big thick shavings bed down so they can get comfy and cosy

johnmac · « **Reply #21 on:** January 11, 2011, 10:58:30 pm »

I've ordered up two bales (40kg) of this hemp malarky from my local country supplier to see what it's like! I was never a fan of the shavings... Always got too messy in
rain
and winter.

I'll let you all know how I fair!

:-)

Squire · « **Reply #22 on:** January 13, 2011, 12:25:30 pm »

I have access to unlimited supply of green Oak chippings, I know they have a high Tannin content, does anyone know if they would be suitable for deep litter under my planned elevated coop?

princesspiggy · « **Reply #23 on:** January 14, 2011, 08:03:14 am »

dont know about oak, is it cedar wood that can make u ill? keeps bugs away put gives u flu like symptoms.

Helencus · « **Reply #24 on:** January 14, 2011, 08:16:02 am »

I use a mix of Bliss horse bedding (which is shredded rape straw and very quick to rot ) and straw. My hatched birds perch ex bats don't. Means the nest boxes get filthy unfortunately. We did have covers my hubby made to keep them out but when we got the dreaded mite we burnt them. He keeps threatening to make me some more but out of plastic but nothing yet.