When you use pine shavings in your coop, you need to know how often to change pine shavings in chicken coop. Knowing how often you should clean the coop is essential because it affects your flock’s overall health.
We recommend you dry clean your chicken coop daily. Also, besides daily cleaning every 3-4 months, you must change the pine shavings in your chicken coop. If you don’t clean the coop, it can cause illness and disease in your chicken flock.
Pine shavings are cheaper, less dusty and available. For all these reasons, the popularity of this component is going high. But pine shavings contain a dangerous toxin that can harm the overall health of your chicken. So be careful of it also.
So, in today’s guide, we will tell you how frequently you should change your coop’s bedding. Therefore without further ado, let’s start the discussion.
Why Select Pine Shavings For the Bedding of Your Chicken Coop?
Various wood shavings types are available out there. But pine shavings for chicken coops catch the limelight. This material of bedding is preferable over another because of its following characteristics:
- Cost-effective or cheaper
- Less dusty
- Readily available
If you choose the other wood shavings for chickens for your coop, it can be costly.
How Often To Change Pine Shavings In Chicken Coop
You should clean the pine shavings bedding in your coop regularly. Moreover, with the usual cleaning, you must change your coop’s bedding every 3-4 months.
For your coop, several options of bedding for chicken are available. Among the available options, one of the best bedding choices is pine shavings. Now the question is, “how often to change chicken bedding”. Following the traditional method, you must change the bedding daily or weekly. But in the case of the deep litter method, you must change your chicken beds every six months or yearly.
Compared to other bedding materials, pine shavings are more absorbent. Therefore pine bedding for chickens is commonly used as the bedding in the chicken coop. Also, the insulating properties of pine shaving allow you to use it for composting and Deep Litter Method.
Also Read: The Ultimate Chicken Coop Maintenance Checklist: Monthly, Quarterly, And Annual Tasks
Are Pine Shavings Safe For Chickens?
Pine shavings are a good bedding material for your chicken coop. But one common problem with it is that it contains dangerous toxins. Ultimately the toxin can cause serious harm to your chicken.
Sometimes the backyard chicken owners become disappointed after trying pine shavings as the bedding material. But many coop owners praise it and love it also. A lot of people are going to use this material for the coop’s bedding. Therefore we must make you conscious of its negative effect.
Pros & Cons Of Pine Shavings
Pine shavings are an excellent bedding option because it offers numerous benefits. But some adverse effects are also associated with it. Now below, we will discuss the pros and cons of pine shavings in short:
Pros of Pine Shavings:
- Absorbent and dry
- Low in cost
- Comfortable and cosy for chickens
- It can be used in the deep litter method
- Lightweight
- Cost-effective or cheap
- Insulating properties
- Widely available
- Easy to store
Cons of Pine Shavings:
- Dusty
- Organic
- Medium quality litter
- Strong scented
Chicken Bedding Absorbency Comparison Testing | Which type is most absorbent?
Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Pine Shavings in Your Chicken Coop
How long do pine shavings last?
3-6 inches depth pine shavings can last for a couple of months before changing them. The dry pine shavings last for more days.
Are Pine Shavings Good for Chicken Coops?
Pine shavings create less dust, are cheap and are available everywhere. So undoubtedly, it is suitable for your chicken coops. But the toxins in pine shavings can sometimes affect your chicken’s health.
Will pine shavings dry out?
Pine shavings are an excellent option to use in a dry area. But it’s recommended not to use it in the absorbent.
Wrap Up
Hopefully, now you know how often to change pine shavings in chicken coop. Every 3 – 4 months, you should change it. Also, you should follow the periodic maintenance routine.
Whether you are considering a new bedding option or planning a coop with pine shavings for the first time, you should know about it. Before choosing the bedding type, we recommend you evaluate its pros and cons. And then take the decision.
