What is the best bedding for chickens in the winter?

[mandelaykay]

I have a new flock of silkies our pen is house is 4x4. Do you only use shavings or can you use hay or straw. I was told that either of these would give them mites. Can you treat them or just use shavings. Thanks

 

[gritsar]

I use the deep litter method, with pine shavings, in the winter. You can do a search here on BYC - keywords "deep litter method" for tons of threads on that.

 

[saladin]

Mites don't come from the litter used. That said, there are litters where mites seem to 'hide' better; such as pine shavings.

I don't raise silkies, but unless they are different they are going to prefer to roost rather than stay on the floor.

 

[7L Farm]

I don't raise silkies either but I believe they don't roost. I'd use pine shavings they will help hold the heat & will be comfortable to lay in while sleeping. Plus, the flock will love scratching around in the shavings.

 

[gritsar]

Both my silkies roost, though sometimes Ellie Mae needs a boost up at night.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Silkies like sheets and blankets in the winter . They need to be kept warmer than other chickens.

 

[jaketheeggman]

I have used straw and my silkie stayed warm because they can nest in it.

 

[Lotsapaints]

Leaves they work the best and have the best price

if you don't have any then shavings or rice hulls...to help reduce the threat of mites spray your walls and floor with a premethrin spray after you clean it and before you re bed it....I dust mine every once in a while (I get fleas) and make them a good dust bath using ashes and dusty dirt and DE mixed together. I use DE mixed into the bedding too and if that's hard to find you can use stall dri a horse product. Really if you have a good place for them to take dust bathes you won't have much problem with mites