Best bedding - hay or shavings?

[Catie1212]

Hi all!

My babies will be moving to their coop this weekend. I am trying to see from a warmth, maintenace and health perspective which is best for bedding - hay or shavings?
I appreciate the help!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I've noticed that the majority of people prefer wood chips to hay but I use either/both. It depends on what's going on at my feed store. I like the compressed bags of chopped up straw that I was just able to get recently so that's what I'm using with my current chicks. I think it's about what's most absorbent and this stuff is doing a good job. But in general wood chips are usually more absorbent than a bale of timothy or alphalfa.

 

[Catie1212]

I've noticed that the majority of people prefer wood chips to hay but I use either/both. It depends on what's going on at my feed store. I like the compressed bags of chopped up straw that I was just able to get recently so that's what I'm using with my current chicks. I think it's about what's most absorbent and this stuff is doing a good job. But in general wood chips are usually more absorbent than a bale of timothy or alphalfa.

Thank you so much! I was wondering as I currently use shavings but there is a farmer down the road I can get cheap hay from. I do like the shavings too so far!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Thank you so much! I was wondering as I currently use shavings but there is a farmer down the road I can get cheap hay from. I do like the shavings too so far!

I'm glad you didn't find it annoying that I said both, haha. If I had cheap local hay I'd for sure grab some, I just love having hay around for the smell, put in nest boxes, my chicks can bed down in it under their MHP. But then of course I also have woods chips around the brooder. I'm indecisive.

 

[nuthatched]

I use hay since shaving get everywhere. Of course, I live where its pretty dry, if I lived somewhere where it rained often, I might use something else.

 

[Catie1212]

Thank you! I may try a combo to see, we live on the top of a large hill so it is wetter up here than normal most days.

 

[Isabella6Storm4]

I use shavings for when they're really young but when they get older i switch to hay because they cant kick it into the water as easy.
edit: Hay is easier to clean out too

 

[Catie1212]

I use shavings for when they're really young but when they get older i switch to hay because they cant kick it into the water as easy.
edit: Hay is easier to clean out too

I am a fan of easy cleaning - thank you!