Hemp Bedding

[Henny0831]

Has anyone used hemp bedding? Does it live up to its hype?

 

[KelseyBoxer]

 

[Sally PB]

I have both hemp and pine shavings in my coop. The hemp settles to the bottom, since the pieces are smaller. I was going to get another bale, but then we got insane cold weather and lots of snow. It has to be shipped to me, and I know UPS would not be able to get up my drive, so I got a bale of pine instead.

One of my husband's coworkers uses it and loves it.

It is quite a bit more expensive. $33 for a bale versus about $7 for the pine shavings.

 

[ZANEYchickenguy]

hemp is good for the deep litter method

 

[rosemarythyme]

I use hemp just under my roost area, as poop sifts out from much better than shavings/wood chips, and it's far less dusty as well. Since I use it just in one area the cost over time shouldn't be too bad.

 

[Sydney65]

I just started w/it. The dust from stall fresh & woodchips was insane, & my 2 skitzy guinea hens were constantly keeping it stirred up.
I had read abt it in Australian forums. I have a feeling it's easier for them to get. I also got the 33# shipped. It arrived quickly, definitely more expensive.
But the Aussies didn't lie- I have zero dust. I filter w/the extra large cat litter spoon just like I did the stall fresh. It takes a little more jiggling to separate than the stall fresh, but the droppings clump in it, my coop doesn't stink & again, no dust.
I have a tractor. I did a total coop clean, scattered it on the drop boards and coop floor and just topped off the wood chips in the run. I didnt go super thick, they don't need the insulation right now and I can add to w/deep bedding. What I've described used just under 1/2 the block.
So, yes, it costs more, only place I found it was on Amazon. It doesn't have an aroma, it absorbs the odors, the droppings clump in it, and no dust. Oh, and they have a blast pecking and digging through it, so they're doing that job for me.

 

[Heres2U_MrsR]

I just started w/it. The dust from stall fresh & woodchips was insane, & my 2 skitzy guinea hens were constantly keeping it stirred up.
I had read abt it in Australian forums. I have a feeling it's easier for them to get. I also got the 33# shipped. It arrived quickly, definitely more expensive.
But the Aussies didn't lie- I have zero dust. I filter w/the extra large cat litter spoon just like I did the stall fresh. It takes a little more jiggling to separate than the stall fresh, but the droppings clump in it, my coop doesn't stink & again, no dust.
I have a tractor. I did a total coop clean, scattered it on the drop boards and coop floor and just topped off the wood chips in the run. I didnt go super thick, they don't need the insulation right now and I can add to w/deep bedding. What I've described used just under 1/2 the block.
So, yes, it costs more, only place I found it was on Amazon. It doesn't have an aroma, it absorbs the odors, the droppings clump in it, and no dust. Oh, and they have a blast pecking and digging through it, so they're doing that job for me.

I’ve been wondering about using hemp. How would you say it runs temp wise? I’m in Texas and it’s just so hot. The pine shavings I currently have aren’t doing my flock any favors. I’m vacillating between hemp, coconut coir, and sand.

 

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

I've been buying this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z42Z611/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's worked great. We do deep litter in the coop, and also use PDZ with it.
We are currently using it with our second batch of chicks and there is SO MUCH LESS dust than with the wood shavings we used the first time. It's way more expensive but in general I'm pretty happy with it. We live in Florida, the coops is more dry now than when we tried using straw for the litter. And less dusty than wood shavings.

 

[Sydney65]

I’ve been wondering about using hemp. How would you say it runs temp wise? I’m in Texas and it’s just so hot. The pine shavings I currently have aren’t doing my flock any favors.

I added hemp after cleaning out my deep bedding‍. I don't have a great deal down- I toss it down and let them sort it out. They have about 2" spread out w/more bunched to build their nests. As it doesn't need changed as often (suggested 1-2x a yr), I thought I'd just add to gradually.
It gets hot in Indiana but nothing like you experience. Perhaps I should have a thermometer in there, but I don't.
We had a couple of record breaking heat days last week. Though the goons free range during the day, I noticed that at the hottest part of afternoon, they voluntarily returned to the coop. When I went in to check on them, I was surprised that it was as cool as it was, bc w/wood chips, I wld sweat in there even w/the windows open, and the birds weren't- panting?- as they had been outside.
I can say the hemp is lighter than other material, so it doesn't absorb heat. It stays dry,not holding humidity. I've put it on drop boards as well instead of zeolite.
I tried to find info on bedding for summertime, without success. This one addresses types, including hemp,so I learned more about it. https://zacsgarden.com/chicken-husb...0-best-chicken-coop-bedding-options-reviewed/

Other sites confirmed my thinking, to stick to 2" or less of whatever bedding being used in the summer so it isn't bldg up heat.
Hope this helps.

 

[Sydney65]

I've been buying this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z42Z611/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's worked great. We do deep litter in the coop, and also use PDZ with it.
We are currently using it with our second batch of chicks and there is SO MUCH LESS dust than with the wood shavings we used the first time. It's way more expensive but in general I'm pretty happy with it. We live in Florida, the coops is more dry now than when we tried using straw for the litter. And less dusty than wood shavings.

Same.