When choosing bedding for chickens, you have a number of options. Straw, Hay, Paper, and Wood shavings are just a few of the materials available. Each one has its own unique benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular choices. Weigh their pros and cons to decide which is the best choice for your chickens.

Hay

Hay is a great choice for chicken bedding. It is inexpensive and less expensive than straw. In some wet years, straw can be hard to find. However, hay can be used for temporary bedding. Moreover, chicken manure can be used as fertilizer. Just remember to keep a check on the nutrient content and ensure that the bedding is not contaminated with chemicals.

You can also use old newspapers as bedding for your chickens. They are natural and absorb moisture easily. They are not harmful to your chickens and don’t attract dust like other bedding options. The only disadvantage is that they might stick to your chicken’s feet, so you’ll have to remove the old newspapers regularly.

Straw

If you are looking for a natural way to keep your chickens happy and healthy, straw bedding is a great option. Straw doesn’t absorb moisture well, so it can become contaminated over time. In addition, it may not be very hygienic, allowing bacteria and mold to thrive. So you will need to regularly change the bedding.

Paper

While paper bedding is very cheap and readily available, it has its limitations. For example, it doesn’t compost, isn’t good for fertilizer, is dusty, and can cause respiratory issues for chickens. In addition, it doesn’t help control odors and absorbs moisture quickly. This makes it a poor choice for the brooder box.

A better alternative is to use shredded paper. Shredded paper is more absorbent and green. It’s also affordable if you’re using scraps. However, you have to be careful about the ink used on the paper. Make sure it’s safe for chickens, and consider using soy-based ink.

Wood shavings

If you want to use wood shavings as bedding for chickens, the first thing to do is to know which type of wood your chickens prefer. Cedar shavings, for example, contain plicatic acid, which breaks down airway cells and can cause respiratory distress or asthma. Pine shavings are a better choice because they are finer and do not contain plicatic acid, which is a common irritant for chickens. However, you should be aware that cedar shavings can be very dusty.

Wood shavings are a great choice because of their absorbent qualities and low toxicity. They are also a great insulator and require less frequent changing than straw or sawdust. They are also inexpensive and can be found in many local stores and online. They come in sturdy bags that make them easy to carry and store.