I just read the message "bacterial infections" and I noticed that some of you said to clean out the bedding. In the summer time, I regularly clean the soiled bedding, but now in the winter time it is a little more difficult. First of all, the floor where the chickens are is concrete, which get's very cold quickly. I try to pile on the bedding, but if I cleaned it out regularly, the coldness from the concrete is worse. Is it okay to leave a layer of soiled bedding ontop of the floor, as long as I keep a layer of clean bedding on top? It really does help to hold heat in.

Yes..soiled bedding is okay as long as you "compost" it. Mix in some fresh bedding as it gives a thicker cushion and the composting gives off a little heat. Ammonia is controlled this way, as well. I stir mine up weekly (and also throw some scratch on top and the chickens mix for me!). I've not ever had ammonia or mold problems. I use cedar or pine chips, though, as they don't tend to be as dusty as straw and the resins keep the unwanted crawlies from invading.

I was wondering of the effect of cedar in a compost pile for an organic garden. Also, does the cedar oil cause any difficulty with chickens' breathing it? (Obviously not, or you wouldn't be using it, I guess I just want more info, because it sure would be easier to clean out than straw!)

Monique, I use Cedar shavings year around. My houses are never wet. When they begin to get too dusty and more dry poop than shavings, I clean out each pen-lightweight and easy for an old person to do. I sweep the plywood floor and it is comletely dry and almost like new. I spray the cracks and refill the pens with several inches of new Cedar shavings--and add more for winter. Sometimes I dump in another bucket of shavings to give the birds something clean and new to scratch in. The only time the house smells is when a setting hen comes off her nest--and if I'm around before the huge poop gets scratched under, Ill lift it out, otherwise, is it soon buried and the odor nutralized. I have never observed the slightest problem with the cedar oil or dust. Some of my birds are 6-7 years old. It does not kill parasites and I keep vigilant for mites and lice and use dust or spray, if needed. I do not put baby chicks on shavings of any kind, I keep them first on paper towelling and later on newspapers, changed about 4-5 x a day for nearly 8 weeks, when they go in larger pens with cedar shavings--and they immediately eat a lot--then it seems to lose its appeal. I give them leafy alfalfa (shake the leaves off) and it is more fun for them to find the green leaves and eat them rather than eat too many shavings. They also get fine GRIT to help move this inert stuff through them without plugging them up! Labor intensive? Yes, but great pleasure and better than purchasing medications--and I really know my little birds by the time they are ready to be mailed out, or join a growing pen, to select for future breeders. It is not the only way to do things, just works for me. I do not compost all of the old bedding, altho it is mostly dry droppings, but I do use it as mulch around evergreen trees and around shrubs.CJR

I am currently raising my first batch of cornish crosses. I am having trouble keeping my house as clean as I would like it to be. I have a concrete floor and I swept and dusted with lime. Then, I put six inches of straw down. (I live on a farm and the straw is the cheapest source of bedding) I keep adding more lime and straw when the litter is soiled and it still feel spongy. What am I doing wrong? How much straw should I add each time? I plan to compost the straw. My mom told me that I shouldn't have to remove all of the bedding but once a year.

Hi,
I use cut grass as bedding....like what comes is left when you mow the lawn....and I was wondering if there are any negative aspects of using that, that I'm oblivious to? It is finely cut using a mulching blade, but I was wondering if it causes mold or anything. I guess it would if it gets wet right? I change it every week and 1/2 or so, as that is when I get a new batch of it. Also, has anyone heard of chickens eventually getting along? or are my chickens crazy or just in a different mood now? I have four that come from diferent places and are in different levels in the pecking order and now they are eating side by side with no problem. anyways, thanks.
Daniel

Maybe it's OK in your climate, if it's very very dry. Here lawn clippings start fermenting right away and I would never use them. Fermenting greens are dangerous. I know they kill rabbits in no time. I compost my lawn clippings and use pine shavings as bedding.

I too have chickens from different origins and ages that all get along fine. The clue is plenty feed, water and space. Enjoy. Anny.