[mentalmilly]

I am thinking of getting some hemcore or flaxcore for bedding, am told it is more absorbent than wood shavings and composts better.  I would be interested if anyone has used this and if it is a good idea.  Might work for ducks as well. Use wood shavings and straw at the moment.

[HesterF]

I use Hemcore. I think the Flaxcore is cheaper but I've found it harder to get. I love the Hemcore - it just seems to absorb the moisture so much better which is way better for ducks. It smells lovely (to begin with at least!) and it stays where you put it. I had to use chopped straw over the summer when Hemcore was out of stock and I hated it - the chickens kicked it everywhere and it always seemed damp. Now it's getting wetter it would be even worse. I'm also told Hemcore composts better but my compost heaps are yet to be turned so can't  be sure yet. So it is more expensive that shavings or straw but I think it's worth every penny!

H

[Daisys Mum]

I am using Hemcore for the first time  and really like it. I paid £10.50 for a bag/bale which is quite a bit dearer than shavings but it seems to stay (mostly ) where it is put and does smell nice when it goes down.
I would like to use it in the stables too but would have to find a cheaper sourest or put rubber mats down first.

[HesterF]

  I pay £7.75 - plus VAT, I think - so just over £9. I think you can buy it by the pallet for less - more than I need but if you're looking at horses...... I also don't pre dampen it - just use it like I would other bedding. Not  sure what impact that has,

H

[AndynJ]

Hem what's it, thingy this, shavings ! their chickens, there nest box is for eggs only nothing else the floor is for poop, you don't need anything on the floor, if your floor is good.
 
I use hay in the nest boxes as it is free, I cut the grass, let it dry and gather it up in dumpy bags.

[zarzar]

we use bedsoft in our chickens is treated with a bacterial spray and smells lovely like lemons, stays cleaner alot longer and composts very quick.

[HesterF]

Half our chickens don't perch so they do need bedding on the floor too - oh, and there's a duck in there too (although he's for the table soon). Then we have the duck house and goose shed too. Gets used for all of them.

What's bedsoft made of? Is it OK for webbed feet? I've tried a couple of other beddings and noticed they've got little instructions on them that they're not suitable for waterfowl, no idea why though.

H