Dengie Freshbed or sawdust extracted wood shavings?

[Wax_Crayon]

We're keeping Pumpkin our (temporarily) indoors hen in a pet carrier lined with Dengie Freshbed, which is recommended by BHWT. I'm starting to wonder if wood shavings are a better option, both now and when we move her and our imminent ex bat flock into their coop in the garden. She seems to peck at her bedding sometimes and I'm worried the long bits of straw will give her an impacted crop. Any advice would be great, thanks.

 

[Icemaiden]

Hi Wax Crayon.
I've been keeping my ex-batts & my neighbour's "last hen standing" on aubiose since I got them in December. It was recommended to me as labour-saving; having not used anything else, I can't really make a comparison, but it certainly makes poo-picking each morning quick & easy; it's sustainable (a waste product from the hemp industry), doesn't have hollow stems for red mites to hide in, is quick to compost & doesn't make me sneeze. In addition, I can use a little of it to wipe the perches clean in the mornings when they've been pooed on. I'm happy with it

 

[valeriebutterley]

I use both Aubiose and wood shavings, and do prefer wood shavings as they seem a bit more absorbent, plus the fact that they come in much smaller packs that are easier to handle and still seem good value, but I always have a bale of Aubiose lurking as well.
On the floor of the bantams v. large hut it lasts for weeks with a quick pick over and refresh every so often. I use both/either/mixture for nest boxes.
The birds do seem to peck at it, and I wondered if there was nutrition somewhere, who knows with hens?.

 

[Bickerton]

I've converted from hemp bedding to Corley biowood /white horse bedding in the house, have found almostno waste now as every other day aftermy daily poo pick iin use a riddle/screen/garden sieve and that gets all the remaining droppings out.

 

[bantiekeeper]

I have switched from Aubiose to Eco-cozybed, which is fine wood shavings, on the covered run floor. Poo clumps up well so easy to pick up. About £6 a bale so cheaper than Aubiose. Using what Aubiose I have left in the nest boxes.

 

[Bickerton]

This stuff, if you buy it as fuel you don't pay vat. Same stuff in the same bags

http://www.corleybiowood.co.uk/Prices.htm

 

[chrismahon]

Found Aubiose best in wet conditions as it is very dry and composts quickly. But it gets really dusty in dry conditions so we switch to wood shavings. But wood shavings take an age to compost.So there is no simple answer Bickerton. We use hay in the nest boxes.

 

[Shoreedge]

Hi all
I have just started to use in the coop chopped oil seed rape it is triple dust extracted and medicated with eucalyptus so it smells nice and defiantly clears your head. My wife and daughter use it as horse bedding and is more absorbent than shavings and rots down quicker. The name of it is Pro Bed

 

[Bickerton]

Will that not be too strong on the chickens noses?