Pine Shavings vs Straw for Coop Bedding
Absorbency, composting, mite harbourage and cost. Which bedding suits a deep litter system and which causes problems in a damp coop.
The short version
Pine shavings absorb more, dry faster and break down more evenly, which makes them the better default and the easier choice for a deep litter system. Straw is warmer to lie in and cheaper by volume in farming areas, but it is hollow rather than absorbent, it mats into a damp layer, and it gives mites more places to hide. Whichever you use, dry beats deep. A wet coop produces ammonia, and ammonia at levels a person barely notices already irritates a chicken's airway and contributes to respiratory disease.
At a glance
| Manna Pro Fresh Flakes Pine Shavings | Chopped Wheat Straw Coop Bedding | |
|---|---|---|
| Absorbency | High | Low, hollow stems |
| Dries out after a spill | Quickly | Slowly, mats down |
| Suits deep litter | Yes | Less well |
| Mite and lice harbourage | Lower | Higher |
| Composts | Yes, slower | Yes, faster |
| Cost by volume | Moderate | Cheap locally, dear shipped |
Choose the Manna Pro Fresh Flakes Pine Shavings if…
Use large flake pine shavings as the main coop bedding. Large flakes are better than fine sawdust, which is dusty and bad for airways. Kiln dried pine is what is sold as animal bedding and is fine; the concern people raise about aromatic phenols applies to fresh untreated shavings and to cedar, which should not be used. Stir the litter regularly, add fresh on top rather than only replacing, and strip it out entirely when it stops smelling neutral.
Check Manna Pro Fresh Flakes Pine Shavings on Amazon
Choose the Chopped Wheat Straw Coop Bedding if…
Straw earns its place in nest boxes, where hens like to shape it, and in a run as a scratching layer. Chopped straw handles better than a full bale and mats less. Watch for damp, because straw that has gone wet underneath is a mite haven and a source of mould. If you have had a mite problem, straw is the bedding to be most careful with, and a full strip out with the coop treated is the fix rather than adding more on top.
Check Chopped Wheat Straw Coop Bedding on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is deep litter and does it work?
Deep litter means letting bedding and droppings compost in place through the season, adding fresh material on top and turning it, so the litter stays dry and builds a biologically active layer. It works well when it is genuinely dry and turned, and it produces good compost. It fails when the coop is damp or overcrowded, at which point it becomes a wet ammonia producing mess. Smell is the test: neutral and earthy is right.
How often should I clean the coop?
It depends on the system. With deep litter, add and turn weekly and strip out once or twice a year. With a shallow bedding system, scrape droppings boards daily or every few days and change bedding every few weeks. Either way, if it smells of ammonia when you put your head in at bird height, it is overdue and you also need more ventilation.
My birds are sneezing and there is a smell in the coop. What should I do?
Improve ventilation and get the litter dry today, then look at the birds properly. Sneezing, rattling breath, discharge from the eyes or nostrils, swollen faces or a drop in laying can indicate a respiratory infection, several of which spread rapidly through a flock and some of which are notifiable in some regions. Contact a vet who sees poultry rather than working through home remedies, and isolate affected birds.
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