Article: What Type Of Bedding Should I Use In My Chicken Coop?
What Type Of Bedding Should I Use In My Chicken Coop?
- A Detailed Comparison Of Chicken Coop Substrates -
Disclaimer: I have spent the last 3 years testing these chicken coop bedding substrates to provide you with honest, unbiased recommendations. While I've received multiple offers for sponsored reviews, I've declined them all to maintain complete independence. Some links in this article are affiliate links, but they have not influenced my recommendations. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission. Thank you for supporting my work in helping chicken keepers make informed decisions!
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 construction sand article here.
TL;DR: My Top Chicken Coop Bedding Pick
(For Easy Cleaning Under The Roosting Bars)
Best Combination: Premium Chicken Sand + Grubbly's Hemp
Combining these 2 substrates to achieve a no-to-low dust option that sifts well and has moisture and odor control is my top recommendation!
- Perfect for easy cleaning (thank you, PCS!)
- Excellent moisture and odor control (Hemp♥)
- No dust issues!
How to use under the roosts or on a shelf: Apply Premium Chicken Sand as your base and sprinkle a thin layer of Grubbly's Hemp Bedding on top. Sift to remove waste daily!
Second Favorite: Coffee Bedding
Initially dust free, smells great and is easy to sift! This could have been my first choice if it was more obtainable. Unfortunately, it is hard to find locally and Rural King doesn't always ship or have it in stock.
Best option for the coop floor? Grubbly's 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 options mentioned above come 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 and 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
(6 Chicken Coop Bedding Options)
| Bedding Type | Value Rating | Low Dust | Siftability | Moisture Control | Odor Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Chicken Sand | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Fine Hemp Bedding | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Coffee Bedding | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 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. Premium Chicken Sand
Best For: Chicken keepers who prioritize dust control and easy cleaning. Works best when combined with moisture-retaining bedding.
Price: $30.99 Online with free shipping, Approximately $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 use this as the primary substrate under my roosting bars. When combined with a little bit of hemp to control moisture, this 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. No need to add hemp since the moisture drains down into the ground!
2. Fine Hemp Bedding (Grubbly Farms)
Best For: Chicken keepers who prioritize quality, low-dust and moisture control.
+ The ONLY option I would use for my baby chicks!
Price: $59.99 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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IMPORTANT NOTE: This hemp bedding review is specifically for Grubbly Farms Hemp Bedding, which has a very fine texture. Unlike other hemp beddings on the market, Grubbly's smaller size makes it more suitable for sifting and cleaning. Other hemp brands typically have coarser fibers that are not siftable.
HOW TO USE
Under The Roosts: sprinkle on top of the Premium Chicken Sand under the roosting bars (to control moisture). I would not recommend this bedding as the sole substrate under the roosts-- it is not very easy to sift in large scoops.
On The Floor: I use Grubbly Farms 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!
3. Coffee Bedding
Best For: Chicken keepers looking for good all-around performance with excellent siftability.
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 might have been my first choice if it was more obtainable! Unfortunately, Rural King stopped shipping to my location in 2023. I haven't been able to get it since. I've even traveled over 3 hours to the closest store, because they said it was available, and it ended up being out of stock :(
4. 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!
5. 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.
6. 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: Harbors bacteria and fungus, poor absorption
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(5-10 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
Pro Tip: The Coop Scoop's ergonomic design makes daily maintenance quick and easy, saving your back while keeping your coop clean!
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
Climate Considerations
- Humid Areas: Prioritize moisture control (Hemp or Coconut)
- Dry Climates: Focus on dust control (Dustless Sand + Hemp)
- Cold Regions: Consider insulation properties (Hemp)
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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Grubbly's Fine Hemp Bedding:~$120/year (2 bags)
- Higher upfront cost but fewer replacements needed
- Each bag can last 6-8 months with proper maintenance
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Coffee Bedding:~$148/year (3-4 bags)
- Moderate initial cost
- Replace every 3-4 months
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Dustless Sand:~$124/year ONLINE (3-4 bags)
- Mid-range cost
- Needs to be paired with moisture absorbing substrate (+$45/year)
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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:~$45/year
- Most economical option
- Best used as an addition to other beddings
🌞 Seasonal Considerations
Summer Performance
- Best Options:Premium Chicken Sand + Hemp
- Focus Areas: Pest control, odor management
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Tips:
- Increase cleaning frequency during hot weather
- Monitor moisture levels more closely
- Consider adding Sweet PDZ for enhanced odor control
Winter Challenges
- Best Options:Coffee Bedding
- Focus Areas: Moisture control, insulation
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Tips:
- Clean daily
- Monitor wet spots more frequently. Moisture in the coop can lead to frostbite.
Spring Solutions
- Best Options:Premium Chicken Sand + Hemp
- Focus Areas: Moisture control, Pest control
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Tips:
- Use The Coop Scoop daily
- Continue to monitor moisture and pests
Fall Preparation
- Best Options: Any, focus on setup for winter
- Focus Areas: Transitioning to winter setup
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Tips:
- Consider adding more absorbent materials. Too much moisture in the coop can cause issues like frostbite.
- Keep water outside of the coop.
🔄 Effective Chicken Coop Bedding Combinations
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Premium Chicken Sand + Hemp
- 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
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Coffee Bedding + Sweet PDZ
- Main layer: 2-3" Coffee Bedding
- Sprinkle Sweet PDZ as needed
- Benefits: Excellent odor control with easy maintenance
- Maintenance: Daily sifting, weekly/monthly PDZ refresh
🏗️ 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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Add Base Layer
- Hemp: thin layer for easier sifting
- Coffee Bedding: 2 inches
- Premium Chicken Sand: 1-2 inches
- Coconut Litter: 2 inches
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Optional Top Layer
- Sweet PDZ: Light dusting
When to Replace
Signs it's time for fresh chicken coop bedding:
- Increased dust levels
- Stronger 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
The combination of Premium Chicken Sand + Grubbly Farm's Fine Hemp Bedding tops our list for overall performance and availability.
Remember, the best choice for your coop depends on your specific needs, budget, and maintenance preferences. Consider starting with our recommended options and adjust based on your experience!
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