What Type Of Bedding Should I Use In My Chicken Coop?
- A Detailed Comparison Of Chicken Coop Substrates -
updated July 2026
NOTE: This article focuses on chicken coop bedding being used INSIDE the chicken coop, particularly for under the roosting bars. For information on the best substrate for a covered chicken run, see our Sand vs Mulch vs Straw article here.
TL;DR: My Top Chicken Coop Bedding Picks
FOR UNDER THE ROOSTING BARS:
Top Favorite: Cozy Coop Hemp Bedding
Dust free, absorbs moisture and is easy to sift! It checks ALL the boxes in one single bag.
September 2025 edit: The coffee bedding was initially my second choice due to it being very difficult to find in store. However, the owner of Power By Coffee has invested in processes to ensure it stays in-stock (yay!) and so far it has! The coffee bedding is becoming more obtainable and easier to find in store. Therefore, I am editing my recommendation to include this as a top choice as well!
BEST OPTION FOR THE COOP FLOOR:
Premium Poultry Hemp Bedding
We have a shelf positioned under the roosting bars to catch the chickens' waste that falls at night. This is where the siftable bedding option mentioned above comes in handy. Having this shelf system means the floor of the coop stays relatively clean and poop-free . For the coop floor itself, I prefer using hemp bedding, which is soft and comfortable for the chickens when they jump down from their roosts. It's also 2x more absorbent than straw, which is perfect for keeping the coop dry all year round. If you're a daily cleaner, the medium texture of Premium Poultry hemp makes spot cleaning easy when necessary.
🧹 Daily Maintenance Made Easy
Coop bedding requires daily waste removal for a clean coop & healthy flock.
- Use The Coop Scoop® for efficient waste removal
- Create a morning cleaning routine (takes just minutes!)
- Dispose chicken waste in your compost bin
A Detailed Comparison
(7 Chicken Coop Bedding Options)
| Bedding Type | Value Rating | Low Dust | Siftability | Moisture Control | Odor Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozy Coop Hemp Bedding | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Coffee Bedding | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Standard Hemp Bedding (many brands) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Premium Chicken Sand | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Coconut Litter | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sweet PDZ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+ |
| Construction Sand | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ |
Understanding Our Ratings
- Value Rating: Considers price, quantity, and longevity
- Low Dust: Higher stars = less dust
- Siftability: Ease of daily cleaning
- Moisture: Ability to control dampness
- Pest Control: Resistance to common coop pests
1. Cozy Coop Siftable Hemp Bedding
Best For: Chicken keepers who want the moisture control and comfort of hemp bedding without giving up the ability to remove manure daily.
Price: $32.99 + Free Shipping
Value: Good
Longevity: 4-6 months per bag
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✅ Pros:
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❌ Cons:
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Most hemp bedding on the market is made from larger pieces of chopped hemp stalk. While standard hemp bedding is absorbent and comfortable, the larger pieces do not pass easily through a sifting scoop. This means clean bedding is often removed along with the manure.Cozy Coop Hemp Bedding is different. Its smaller particle size was specifically selected to make hemp bedding easier to sift. Droppings remain in The Coop Scoop while the clean bedding falls back into the coop. This gives chicken keepers the benefits of hemp bedding without requiring them to replace large amounts of clean material during routine maintenance.
Cozy Coop Hemp Bedding is now my number one bedding choice because it works with the way I maintain my coop. It keeps the space dry and comfortable while making daily manure removal simple and efficient.
2. Coffee Bedding
Best For: Chicken keepers looking for good all-around performance with excellent siftability. For use on a shelf, under the roosts in the coop.
Price: $16.99 in-store + $20 shipping (depending on your area)
Value: Good
Longevity: 3-4 months per bag
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✅ Pros:
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❌ Cons:
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Coffee Bedding was my top choice for many years. It smells great, is siftable and safe for my chickens. Unfortunately, stores stopped shipping to my location in 2023 and I haven't been able to get it since.
3. Standard Hemp Bedding
Best For: Chicken keepers who prioritize quality, low-dust and moisture control.
+ The ONLY option I would use for my baby chicks!
Price: $35 with free shipping
Value: Good (a little goes a long way!)
Longevity: 6-8 months
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✅ Pros:
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❌ Cons:
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Most hemp bedding sold for chickens is made from larger pieces of chopped hemp stalk. It is lightweight, absorbent and naturally low in dust, but the larger pieces make it difficult to sift. This can make daily manure removal less efficient and increase how often the bedding needs to be replaced.
Standard hemp bedding can still work well for chicken keepers who use a deep bedding method or prefer to replace sections of bedding rather than sift the coop each day. However, it is not my first choice for a coop that is cleaned with a sifting scoop.
HOW TO USE
On The Floor: I use Premium Poultry Hemp Bedding on the floor of my coop where the chickens don't poop as much. This hemp bedding keeps the coop dry and is easy to spot clean!
In The Brooder: Pour hemp on brooder floor 1" thick
4. Premium Chicken Sand
Best as a RUN substrate, not for the chicken coop. However, some chicken keepers enjoy this as a coop substrate. This can work well when combined with moisture-retaining bedding.
Price: $30.99 Online with free shipping, Approximately $11-15 In-Store
Value: Online:Good, In-Store:Excellent
Longevity: 3-4 months per bag
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✅ Pros:
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❌ Cons:
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I have used this as the primary substrate under my roosting bars for a few months. Since sand is not absorbent, ammonia filled my coop quickly. I quickly added a little bit of hemp (just sprinkled on top) to control moisture. Doing so made a substrate mixture is easy to sift, has low-to-no dust and excellent moisture control!
Tip: if you have a small run, Premium Chicken Sand would be perfect substrate for the run floor.
5. Coconut Litter
Best For: Chicken keepers who prioritize natural, sustainable materials that are easy to find.
Price: $36.98 + $3.99 shipping (for 2 bags)
Value: Not Great
Longevity: 3-4 months
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✅ Pros:
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❌ Cons:
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I love that the coconut coir is obtainable at any time, but some batches are super dusty. If you get a good low-dust batch and only need to fill a small space, it's a good option!
6. Sweet PDZ
Best For: Adding to any bedding system for enhanced odor control.
Price: $14.99 (Tractor Supply pickup)
Value: GREAT
Longevity: 6-8 months (2 uses per bag)
✅ Pros:
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❌ Cons:
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I was really looking forward to testing out this affordable option, but I was not happy with the amount of dust it produced. While it is great at controlling moisture, I found the finer particles combined with the moisture and caked to the bottom of the shelf over time. This is a good product to sprinkle around the coop for moisture and odor control, but not as a stand-alone bedding.
7. Construction Sand
I don't recommend this as a primary bedding INSIDE THE COOP due to dust concerns unless you have an open air coop. However, construction sand is an excellent option for a run!
Price: $6.99 (Tractor Supply pickup) Value: EXCELLENT Longevity: 3-4 months per bag
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✅ Pros:
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❌ Cons:
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When I switched to construction sand in the run, I immediately added it to the coop too. A lot of chicken keepers I know use construction sand in their coop. It's the most economical choice, but the dust level was too much for our small enclosed coop. The type of construction sand varies around the country. Some types are dustier than others. If you can find a low dust sand in your area, construction sand might be a good option. For us, we only use it in our chicken run.
⚠️ BEDDINGS TO AVOID
Straw: health risk - can cause impacted crop, molds quickly, does not retain moisture
Pine Shavings: poor absorption promotes bacteria and fungus growth
Maintenance Tips & Best Practices
Essential Daily Cleaning Routine
Regardless of which chicken coop bedding you choose, daily maintenance is key to a healthy coop. Here's our recommended routine using The Coop Scoop.
Daily Cleanup(5 minutes)
- Use The Coop Scoop to remove droppings and soiled bedding
- The slotted design makes it easy to sift through any fine bedding type
- Perfect for hard to reach places and under roosts
Weekly Tasks
- Check for wet spots and excess moisture
- Monitor odor levels
Monthly Tasks
- Evaluate bedding condition
- Plan replacement if needed
- Check for pest activity
Cost-Saving Tips
- Buy in bulk when possible
- Combine materials strategically
- Establish proper maintenance routines
- Use tools that remove less bedding material
PRO TIP: add a thin layer of First Saturday Lime to the bottom of the shelf (or floor) before putting your substrate in. You can also add a little bit of FSL if you start to see bugs in the substrate. Just don't add too much-- it can make the coop dusty!
💰 Annual Cost Breakdown
Based on an average 4x4sqft chicken coop/shelf setup
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Cozy Coop Siftable Hemp Bedding:~$65/year (2 bags)
- Each bag can last 3-4 months with proper maintenance
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Coffee Bedding:~$74/year (2 bags)
- Moderate initial cost
- Replace every 3-4 months
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Dustless Premium Chicken Sand: ~$100/year ONLINE when combined with hemp (2 bags)
- Mid-range cost
- Needs to be paired with moisture absorbing substrate
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Coconut Litter:~$296/year (6-8 bags, 2 at a time for 4'x4' shelf)
- Highest annual cost due to needing multiple bags
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Sweet PDZ:~$40/year
- Most economical option
- Best used as an addition to other beddings
🔄 Effective Chicken Coop Bedding Combinations
- Base layer: 2" Premium Chicken Sand
- Top layer: 1/8" (thin layer) Hemp
- Benefits: Perfect balance of siftability and moisture control
- Maintenance: Use The Coop Scoop for easy cleaning of both layers
🏗️ Setup Guide
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Clean and Prepare (Seasonally)
- Remove all old bedding
- Clean and disinfect coop
- Allow to dry completely
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Optional Bottom Layer (for pest control)
- First Saturday Lime: Light dusting
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Add Clean Bedding
- Hemp: 1" thin layer for easier sifting
When to Replace
Signs it's time for fresh chicken coop bedding:
- Increased dust levels
- Any ammonia smell
- Difficulty sifting
Q: How often should I completely change the bedding in my chicken coop?
A: I aim to do a full bedding replacement every 3-4 months.
The Bottom Line
Cozy Coop Hemp Bedding is now my number one choice for chicken coops because it combines the comfort and absorbency of hemp with the ability to sift out manure during daily cleaning.
Unlike standard hemp bedding, which is usually too large to pass through a sifting scoop, Cozy Coop has a smaller particle size that allows clean bedding to fall back into the coop while the manure is removed. This helps reduce waste, control moisture and make routine maintenance easier.
Coffee bedding is another great option for droppings boards and areas beneath the roosts. It is dust free, absorbs moisture, helps control odor and is easy to sift.
The best bedding for your coop will always depend on your setup, budget and cleaning routine. Choose a material that helps you keep the space dry, remove manure regularly and maintain a comfortable environment for your flock.
Disclaimer: I have spent the last four years testing different chicken coop bedding options in my own coop. My recommendations are based on firsthand experience, including how each bedding performs for moisture control, odor, cleanup and everyday flock care.
Some products mentioned in this article are linked through affiliate programs, sold on my website or come from companies I work with. This means I may earn a commission when you make a purchase. These business relationships do not change my commitment to sharing honest recommendations based on what I actually use and believe works best for backyard chicken keepers.
Thank you for supporting my work and helping me continue creating practical chicken keeping resources.
