[anitaws]

Hi all

I was just wondering, as there is apparently a shortage of shavings at the mo, what can I buy to put in the hen house.  I've got the run shorted out but I'm thinking about the ladies confort inside. :happy:

[mrs.ploppy]

Any animal feed suppiers sell all types of bedding; Auboies, chopped hemp bedding, medibed etc.  All really designed for horses but can be used for all sorts of animals.  Most are a chooped straw based product, some made from hemp plant, all sorts.  They are usually more expensive than shavings but all are dust free and safe.

[matilda duck]

We use the "cushion bed" it's for horses but better than shavings as it soaks the damp up much better......You get it from horsey places but although slightly dearer you don't need to replace it as often as shavings.

[richyrich7]

I just use a bail of straw

[Foxy]

We use the "cushion bed" it's for horses but better than shavings as it soaks the damp up much better......You get it from horsey places but although slightly dearer you don't need to replace it as often as shavings.
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I think it might be similar to what I use? I like easibed -very good for messy ducks!

[matilda duck]

Yes Foxy it's exactly the same just a different name......  I think easibed is a brand name??  Could be wrong... it all depends what the horesy places stock.

[CDave]

I use Hemcore - but only inside. Very absorbant, 100% natural, nice smell and rots down much quicker than shavings.

[andreadon]

we use straw too and newspaper for under the perches.

you can get a really compacted bag of straw from pets at home for 3.99.
it lasts forever.
(well, not literally!)

[poppies]

We have had to go back to straw  due to the shortage, we get a large round  bale from a local farmer £10 delivered I just cut it up with shears for the little pekins and silkies - and it makes better compost so will keep on using it

[Green man]

We to use that hemcore for our chickens and
 it rots down quickly as already said.

also from the same feed store we get a bail of straw for £2:50.
and that will last a goo bit of time.

[anitaws]

Gosh, I didn't realise there where so many things available :blink:

Now for the investigations on what I can get locally and at what cost

thank you all

[Stree]

Same as RichyRich,  my chickens and goose and gander are perfectly happy  with the me dispensing bedding from a straw bale arrangment

And the guinea pigs. prefer it to hay to sleep on
Except when a chicken sits on them.

[richyrich7]

And the guinea pigs. prefer it to hay to sleep on
Except when a chicken sits on them.

Do you keep your piggies in with the hens then ??

[Stree]

Well strangely enough the geese two cockerels and a hen live in an old pigsty, which is next to the pig ( guinea type) run, in which the pigs live in a minature henhouse, which is next to another chicken run where 3 white amberlinks live in an ordinary henhouse.
Its a small luxury development for the "livestock" and they pay rent and rates with eggs, compost materials and disposing of leftovers. and just the enjoyment of having them I suppose !
would you like pics?

[andreadon]

would you like pics?

i don't think you need to ask!
put 'em on!