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Chicken coop bedding

By the Fluff & Feed team · Updated

The Extension Foundation says the best litter is generally wood shavings from a softwood such as pine, spruce or hemlock. Straw is harder to manage and should be chopped to one inch or less.

What the extension service says

The Extension Foundation's poultry article says "the best litter is wood shavings from a softwood, such as pine, spruce, or hemlock." It calls straw "difficult to manage" and "prone to caking," and says straw "should be chopped to one inch or less." Pine straw "was found to be a poor choice for bedding material, as it caked over quickly."

It warns against glossy paper, which "will not absorb moisture," and against shavings from wood pallets that "may be tainted with paints, fuels, pesticides, solvents, and other flammables." The article doesn't cover hemp or cedar, so we make no claims about them.

How we compare: price per cubic foot uses the expanded volume when the listing gives one. Few listings give a bag weight, so we don't show price per pound. Coverage is shown only where the seller states it.

Source: Extension Foundation, Litter Material for Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks. Setting up a brooder? See brooders and heat plates.

9 of 9 coop bedding match

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Questions people ask

What is the best bedding for a chicken coop?

The Extension Foundation says the best litter is generally wood shavings from a softwood such as pine, spruce or hemlock. (Extension Foundation)

Is straw good bedding for chickens?

It can work, but the Extension Foundation calls straw difficult to manage and prone to caking, and says to chop it to one inch or less. Long straw mats over faster. (Extension Foundation)

What bedding should I avoid in a coop?

The Extension Foundation says not to use glossy paper because it won't absorb moisture, and warns that pallet wood may carry paint, fuel, pesticide or solvent residue. It found pine straw cakes over quickly. (Extension Foundation)

How much does a bag of pine shavings cover?

Tractor Supply lists its 8 cu ft flake pine shavings at about 32 sq ft at 3 inches deep, and its 5.5 cu ft fine shavings at about 22 sq ft.

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