Dust-free substrate recommendations for indoor 'coop'?

[CaptainKarru]

Is Zeolite (“Sweet PDZ”) low-dust?

I own a bag but I haven’t opened it yet.

We just mixed granulated PDZ with sand in our inside brooder. The sand was pretty dust free because I had rinsed and strained it (long story ) but as soon as I added the PDZ, all for COMPLETELY disappeared, Even though it has snowed and rained the last 3 days and all three of my 6-week-olds have been in a 2x4 box in the front room I haven't sifter out the poop in the 3 days, because I was waiting until they were out first. And still no odor. (Coop isn't finished, and I don't want them to get chilled!) but the dust is really really bad. I'm glad I at least got the granulated instead of the powder though. I haven't used the PDZ powder, but I assume it would be insanely dustier.

(I plan to mix a little "first Saturday lime" into the edges of my sand in their roosting box/coop every few weeks, once the coop is done, since DE is dustier and bad for respiratory)

 

[CaptainKarru]

Has anyone heard of/tried coffee grounds?? Apparently that's a new trend and you can get "animal safe-non caffeine" bags at some pet stores. I like the smell of codde grounds so id be interested in trying it! (And then after I'm finished with it in the brooder I could add it to my black soldier fly farming that I plan to start)
No idea the cost though and how available. I assume it would actually NOT be dusty though

 

[atomic]

I use hay. It’s inexpensive, cushy, and easy to clean.

 

[paintedChix]

I'd try coffee grounds. There is a thread where the someone gets bagged, used grounds from a coffee shop. She spread them on a tarp in the sun, stirring them now & again. Then stores & uses them on poop boards & coop floor.

I myself use shredded paper & cardboard (as well as natural yard debri). It does get kicked out, I find it dusty & it's not really scoopable. I just add more, as needed, until I decide it needs to be fully cleaned out (not too long in chick brooders)...