Cedar shavings are incredibly toxic to chickens. This is not a myth—it's backed up by very strong evidence. But because cedar toxicity has been commonly accepted for at least decades, this finding wasn't really that surprising to me.
Cedar. While pine shavings are a great option, cedar wood is aromatic and can cause respiratory issues. Cedar shavings are often more expensive and harder to find than pine shavings, anyway. Avoid using cedar shavings in the coop.
Pine shavings and Aspen shavings are fine for the chicken coop, but we don't suggest using cedar shavings in the coop. Cedar is a very aromatic wood. This aroma can be damaging to your chickens respiratory systems.
DON'T let the bedding get wet and remain wet. Wet litter facilitates the growth of mold, coccidiosis and harmful bacteria, which can make the chickens sick. Wet litter can also cause bumblefoot to develop on chickens' footpads. If possible, keep waterers out of the coop.
Chickens can be naturally curious and may decide to nibble out of the wood shavings. If you have chicks, avoid wood shavings as they tend to peck around and eat whatever they find until they familiarise themselves with where to find food.
Wood shavings are popular and fairly common bedding to use in the chicken coop. They are usually economical to buy and can be sourced from local farm stores. Wood shavings are also absorbent and will help manage moisture from droppings.
Moisture created from respiration and droppings dampen the surface of straw, which fosters the growth of molds, fungi and bacteria that cause respiratory illness and diseases such as Aspergillosis in chickens. Not only does straw not perform well to keep a coop dry, it actually complicates waste management.
Neglecting to clean out your chicken coop regularly puts your flock at risk of infection. People who don't clean out their chicken coops regularly can lose chickens to diseases that could easily be prevented with regular cleaning.
Chickens love to drink from muddy puddles, no matter how much fresh water you provide, and muddy puddles are likely to contain coccidia, bacteria, worm eggs and even botulism. If the chickens are compromised, a little puddle water can be enough to push them over the edge.
Each time a coop is cleaned, the manure can be thinly spread on a tarp or other impermeable surface to dry in the sun, before adding it to the pile. The drying pile should be protected from precipitation or other water sources, or decomposition (and odors) may occur.
Cedar should be avoided in avian living spaces because it can cause respiratory issues. If you use wood shavings for bedding, make sure you are not buying cedar shavings. Pine is also known to contain phenols which could also possibly cause issues for chickens and are best avoided.
Sand can be used on coop floors that are cement, dirt, or wood. Inexpensive linoleum placed on top of wood flooring before adding sand protects the wood underneath. I use approximately 4 inches of sand inside the chicken coop and as much as a foot in the chicken run.
Coarse sand (also known as builder's sand, but not the finer play sand) has become increasingly popular as a flooring in the chicken coop, and it's certainly helpful in keeping the flock cool in the summer months. Easy to maintain and a boon in keeping flies away, for the small to medium sized run it's a good option.
From my list of the 4 best chicken coop flooring options, I would use concrete (best) or wood/plywood (good). If you live in a cold climate, you need to consider insulation. From my list of the 4 best chicken coop flooring options, I would use plywood covered with linoleum, or rubber mats.
While spraying down the top of your coop or run can help cools things off, you shouldn't spray your chickens directly or dunk their whole bodies in water. Just the feet is sufficient! Chickens also cool down by taking dust baths.
“Adding probiotics to the water can help build beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. The more good bacteria in the digestive system, the less room for harmful bacteria.” Probiotic supplements can be added to chickens' water for three days each month.
Plenty of people provide their hens with rainwater from these asphalt-shingled roofs and the chickens do fine. However, cedar roofs and metal roofs will give hens cleaner water.
Dogs are probably the major daytime chicken killers, but several species of hawks may also prey on hens. Mink, foxes, and weasels are occasionally active during daylight hours but raccoons, opossums, and skunks rarely are. Preparing the run in two ways will reduce predation.
White vinegar, baking soda, and sunlight can all do an amazing job of killing bacteria, mold, and pathogens. Ultraviolet rays are also a powerful disinfectant, and vinegar kills many types of mold, as does baking soda. Using all in combination will keep your chicken feeders and waterers clean and your chickens healthy.
Clear out all of the dirt, feathers, nesting materials, and bird droppings. Depending on the size of your coop, this could take some time. It's important to scrape out as much of the bird droppings as you can since they, unfortunately, will not soften with the help of water or a cleansing solution.
Straw is one of the best materials for bedding. It has the same advantages of pine shavings and provides something for chickens to scratch and peck through. Either of these materials can be found at your local feed or farm supply store.