AyeAyeMagpie Posted September 29, 2018 Share Posted September 29, 2018 Inspired by a tangent in another thread, what bedding do you use in the nest box and under the roosting bars? As mentioned elsewhere, I'm trying out different bedding materials and I'm interested in what more experienced chicken keepers use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Nothing under the roosting bars, easichick in the nest box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Newspaper under the roosting bars and woodchip in the nestbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Aubiose everywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 Aubiose here too In the past we have used EasiChick and Rapport. Would avoid newspaper as it tends to absorb moisture and clump into a big lump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 1 hour ago, Lewis said: Aubiose here too In the past we have used EasiChick and Rapport. Would avoid newspaper as it tends to absorb moisture and clump into a big lump I have never had that happen with the newspaper in my coop. I use folded sheets of tabloid and compared to using woodshavings, I have no issue with mould with newspaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 30, 2018 Share Posted September 30, 2018 2 hours ago, Lewis said: Aubiose here too In the past we have used EasiChick and Rapport. Would avoid newspaper as it tends to absorb moisture and clump into a big lump And will attract mites if it is damp I have tried all sorts of bedding over the years, and Aubiose - or any other hemp bedding - is by far the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 I like Dengie Freshbed that you can buy from the British Hen Welfare trust. You get loads and it lasts ages, it's also treated with things to repel mites. I use it in the poo tray and nest box, my chooks seem to like it. They weren't happy with Easichick. I found it a bit hard too, kept catching under my nails. I love this stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 I was really unlucky when I used Dengie Freshbed. I agree it smells lovely and is very soft but unfortunately 2 of my girls ate it and ended up with impacted crops which both needed operating on. I'm afraid I would never use it again - unless it's just dopey Pekins that eat it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeAyeMagpie Posted October 20, 2018 Author Share Posted October 20, 2018 Interesting to read different experiences. By chance I bought the Dengie Freshbed stuff today from a farmstore. It smells nice and yet doesn't aggravate my asthma (a big consideration for allergen triggered asthma) and feels soft. Looks like it'll last sges as well, so better value than the other beddingsI've tried. It's only day 1 so it's too early to pass judgement. I'll check tomorrow to see if any hens take an interest in eating it. The farmstore also stock a bedding made from rapeseed, which apparently some chicken keepers are using but I know nothing of its merits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 I swear by aubiose as well. Magic stuff. However, a farm I go past quite often is advertising something called Bedmax - anyone tried that? It’s significantly cheaper than aubiose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Bedmax are just wood shavings, so they'll get damp and clump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 On 20/10/2018 at 8:17 PM, Luvachicken said: I was really unlucky when I used Dengie Freshbed. I agree it smells lovely and is very soft but unfortunately 2 of my girls ate it and ended up with impacted crops which both needed operating on. I'm afraid I would never use it again - unless it's just dopey Pekins that eat it. Oh yikes. I'll keep an eye. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeAyeMagpie Posted October 28, 2018 Author Share Posted October 28, 2018 An update from cleaning out the coop today: The Dengie Freshbed is the best bedding I've tried so far. It stays fresh and dry after a week of use. It's soft and generally just very pleasant. I think my chickens prefer it as well, as Charlotte has started laying again so maybe she was put off by the wood pellets in the nesting box. PS. So, so, sooo glad that I opted for an Eglu. Today was my first day of cleaning out the coop in torrential rain and I have to say it was pretty painless. Much easier than when I used to clean out wooden hutches when I kept rabbits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 28, 2018 Share Posted October 28, 2018 Glad you're pleased with the Eglu It took me a while to change from wooden to eglu's (yeears ago) and we've never looked back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natspringy Posted October 29, 2018 Share Posted October 29, 2018 On 28/10/2018 at 12:48 PM, AyeAyeMagpie said: An update from cleaning out the coop today: The Dengie Freshbed is the best bedding I've tried so far. It stays fresh and dry after a week of use. It's soft and generally just very pleasant. I think my chickens prefer it as well, as Charlotte has started laying again so maybe she was put off by the wood pellets in the nesting box. PS. So, so, sooo glad that I opted for an Eglu. Today was my first day of cleaning out the coop in torrential rain and I have to say it was pretty painless. Much easier than when I used to clean out wooden hutches when I kept rabbits. One of mine refused to lay in the easi chick, sqwaked and shouted to be let out to lay in the bamboo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
