tom123 Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 As loads of people are asking what sort of bedding to use I thought we could set up a poll for them to check out and see what everyone uses and why. What do you think? Please fill it in Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I have recently started to use Aubiose as I have now found a local supplier. I like it because it's so absorbent and easy to keep clean. I use it in the nestbox, under the roosting bars, and also on the floor of the run. I know it's expensive, but at the moment I can afford it and think it's worthwhile. Previously I used shredded paper and Nedzbed Pro, but Aubiose is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I use aubiose, and I don't think it is expensive. I bought the current bale last year, probably about October and there's still half left. I don't spread it very deeply in the run, but I chuck some down when it's very muddy (when isn't it, lately!) I use it in the nest box and a thin layer in the trays to stop the poo sticking. I find it lasts ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Hemcore cos I got it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svejk Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I use Aubiose in the eggbox and under the bars in the tray. Must admit I hadn't thought of using it in the run - we keep the chooks on wood chips but let them free range during the day when at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruth1 Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Hemcore as It's all I can get and I line the poo trays with newspaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electricbarbarella Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I line everything with newspaper so to stop me having tos"Ooops, word censored!"e or wash anything (I am a bit lazy), I use shredded paper in the nest box as loads of people seem to give it to me and I sprinkle a little bit of aubiose on top to combat any smells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I use Auboise, it's lovely stuff smells nice soaks up poo, chickens enjoy scratching about in it and it's compostable. 1 bale does 2 clean outs of my 7 X 10 foot run so it goes a long way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 All this brand name business! - I use a flax based horse bedding - very similar to auboise, but different manufacturers - either JoPack or Equisorb are the names of the ones I can get locally. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Started off using Woodypet in the main part of the house with straw on top in the nest box. Couldn't find a supplier around here so switched to Aquamax which is very similar. The price of that seems to be going up and up so now I'm trying Easibed. I like Easibed but the chooks prefer Aquamax because they like scratching around in it. I've found Easibed to be drier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I use Nedz Bedz, because it is what my equestrian shop stocks. It is cleaned and sterilised chopped straw. It is also treated with tea tree oil which helps keep lice and parasites away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 All this brand name business! - I use a flax based horse bedding - very similar to auboise, but different manufacturers - either JoPack or Equisorb are the names of the ones I can get locally. I didn't know it was a brand name! I thought it was just the name of the bedding! Now I know it goes under different names I will look out for them, may be a bit cheaper I don't care what it's called as long as it does the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I use Guardian Equine Bedding. Wood pellets that when wet break down and turn to sawdust (only dust free) I like this product because it's super absorbant and all I have to do is scoop out the soiled bedding (much like kitty litter) and top off with more. I pay $7.00US per 50lb bag. Super inexpensive and super absorbant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebe Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I use wood shavings in the nestbox at the moment because I am using it up before I start the auboise (finally tracked down a local supply). Wood sahvings are a bit dusty, which is why I am changing. I did use shredded paper to start with but got fed up with bits of it blowing around the garden. Newspaper in the poo trays and about to put down paving slabs and auboise in the run as the mud is getting me and the hens down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millihelen Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I use shredded paper in the nesting box, with a single sheet of newspaper underneath to cut down the amount getting through the hole in the bottom. Its OK now as the cube is under our willow tree for the winter - but I might look for something else for the summer that doesn't look so messy scattered around the garden I line the poo trays with newspaper (double layer) - which works fine, except for one really cold weekend when it had frozen to the trays! (and I had to s"Ooops, word censored!"e it off) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I used to use aubiose and hemcore, but i think they are allergic to it, so shredded paper for me.... rubbish i'd just bought a bale of aubiose too when i figured it out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggienator Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I used to use aubiose and hemcore, but i think they are allergic to it, so shredded paper for me.... rubbish i'd just bought a bale of aubiose too when i figured it out... How did you work it out? What symptoms did they show? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Aquamax. It's just superb in every way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I line the Eglu poo tray with a full sheet from The Daily Telegraph (perfect fit!), with a sheet from the sports section under the bars of the entrance way. I use straw in the nest box. Sometimes the straw gets chucked about if the girls get bored (especially after having been cooped up in the run for a few days), but otherwise the system works well for me. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Line all with newspaper and shredded on top of paper in the nest box - recyles the paper and is cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 All this brand name business! - I use a flax based horse bedding - very similar to auboise, but different manufacturers - either JoPack or Equisorb are the names of the ones I can get locally. Tracy I use flax bedding too but mine is nothing like the auboise I have seen which looks similar to easi bed.? Mine is much much finer and lovely & soft. It simply sucks up the moisure, we had poorly chook with watery poohs and plenty of soft eggs in there. It is bril & someone onm here recomended for chooks that snuggle not roost Line pooh trays with paper & top up nests with little bit shredded paper so they can "decorate" themselves & their nests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCoop Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I voted for newspaper and straw as my two options. However, I always throw in a generous helping of Aubiose to soak up 'dampness'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 This may be a silly question, but do chickens eat straw which can lead to blocked crops? I was thinking of putting straw in the nest box when I get my chicks as it may still be cold and they can snuggle up. But I am sure I've read on here that they can eat it so am a bit hesitant to use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ems Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I use megazorb and straw, as I use it for my rabbits too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyber Chook Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 In the nesting box, a layer of newspaper to stop stuff falling through, and a deep layer of Hemcore. Every day I pick out the poo, so that the eggs stay nice and clean, and i don't have to wash them. To save money, after a couple of weeks I scoop out the remaining Hemcore, and drop it into the run, as it isn't dirty or anything and it seems wasteful to put it straight on the compost heap. Aubiose or Hemcore in the walk-in run, because it's so absorbent and smells good, and rots down fast in the compost heap. Also sometimes Easibed, the fairly finely shredded woodchip bedding for horses, for much the same reasons. I read somewhere here that it's best to avoid straw, because critters like red mites hide in the hollows, and the same with hay. I tried shredded paper in the nesting box, but I find it irritating the way it sticks to the eggs, or blows around the garden. Shame, as it's free and environmental, and others seem to be fine with it. Maybe I'm just easily crankified Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
