Switched from straw to pine shavings in the coop and wow what a difference

I had been using straw for bedding in my chicken coop for about 8 months. Figured it was cheap and easy to find. But man, it got so musty and wet under the roosts. Then my neighbor Sarah said try pine shavings instead. Now after 3 weeks with pine shavings, the coop smells way less and I'm not dealing with moldy patches. It also seems easier to clean out. Anyone else have strong feelings about what bedding works best for your flock?

2 comments

2 Comments

parker5431d ago

Man, is switching chicken bedding really all that serious? I mean, good for you that the smell changed but it's just bedding for birds, not a total life overhaul. Does it actually matter in the long run or are we all just overthinking sawdust vs. hay?

wilson.jana1d ago

Hold on, you think sawdust and hay are the SAME? @parker543, I'm genuinely shocked right now. Hay holds moisture like a sponge and rots out fast, which is why it gets that ammonia smell. Pine shavings dry things out way better and let the poops dry up so you can just scoop them out. It's not just about the smell, it's about your birds breathing in all that nasty dust and mold spores from hay. That stuff can cause real respiratory problems over time, seriously.