RuffIedFeathers
Songster
Hello,
What I currently do with my coop is the deep litter method with hemp. Recently I tried using just one bag of hemp to see if I preferred cleaning more frequently, but after a month it smelled really bad; it didn't when I was using 3 bag of hemp and the deep litter method. I was a little grossed out by the concept, but it never smelled. However, 1 bag of hemp is about $100, so it's $300 every time I change it, which is 2-4x/year.
For their nesting boxes I've been using nesting pads, but they're about $40 for 10. Some of the chickens soil in them, so I have to clean them the best I can and then just toss and replace. It gets expensive. I was thinking of use straw, but not sure what the best options are.
In the run floor I have mulch and I HATE IT! It doesn't break down and it just smells horrible. My chickens free range so it's not like they're confined to the run constantly. I don't know what to do for the run floor. Just dirt? Bedding?
My question is, what can I do for bedding/nesting/run that would work the same but is more affordable? Would pine or aspen be fine? Should I just stick with hemp (which I really like). What should I use in the nesting boxes? Run floor?
Thank you for any guidance!
What I currently do with my coop is the deep litter method with hemp. Recently I tried using just one bag of hemp to see if I preferred cleaning more frequently, but after a month it smelled really bad; it didn't when I was using 3 bag of hemp and the deep litter method. I was a little grossed out by the concept, but it never smelled. However, 1 bag of hemp is about $100, so it's $300 every time I change it, which is 2-4x/year.
For their nesting boxes I've been using nesting pads, but they're about $40 for 10. Some of the chickens soil in them, so I have to clean them the best I can and then just toss and replace. It gets expensive. I was thinking of use straw, but not sure what the best options are.
In the run floor I have mulch and I HATE IT! It doesn't break down and it just smells horrible. My chickens free range so it's not like they're confined to the run constantly. I don't know what to do for the run floor. Just dirt? Bedding?
My question is, what can I do for bedding/nesting/run that would work the same but is more affordable? Would pine or aspen be fine? Should I just stick with hemp (which I really like). What should I use in the nesting boxes? Run floor?
Thank you for any guidance!