Chicken Bedding Absorbency Comparison Testing | Which type is most absorbent?

We put 6 common chicken bedding materials to the test to see which is the most absorbent: Pine Shavings, Straw, Dried Leaves, Horse Pellets, Sawdust and Industrial Hemp. You might be surprised by the results!
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[@kimberlytoms6889]

I put hemp in both of my henhouses in August of 2020. Still no smell at all. Love this stuff...clean!!!

[@devil1679]

A better test would be to drip the 8 cups of water on the bedding over a few hours in different t spots. The chickens don’t release 8 cups at once.

[@renewedcovenantfellowship8015]

We used sand until just a week ago and are already amazed at the benefits of hemp. With the sand we had to clean the coop daily. Haven’t cleaned it yet since using the hemp and the chickens like it.

[@carolparsley9330]

Can you use hemp in compost when the hemp needs to be changed?

[@sugarhoneysweets]

Are you still happy with the hemp? How often do you clean it and how often do you replace it? Thanks!

[@brysonalden5414]

Recently switched from pine shavings to hemp, and I will never use anything but hemp again. Especially for deep bedding, it works way better.

[@clp6743]

Where is the best place to get it? Hemp

[@sv160]

thanks for the testing. used hemp in a large pin for 4 weeks inside the house, no smell, I like it a lot but expensive, I only have 3 chickens so my coop is just for sleep and to lay eggs. I sprinkle some diatomaceous earth for animals on the bottom then bending keeps fleas and bugs away. Chicken are so much joy ❤

[@MrCasTeaYo]

I use sand ..... removes moisture from droppings in return decreases smell... then scoop it out like you would kitty liter

[@jordankerby970]

What type of sand

[@MrCasTeaYo]

@@jordankerby970 I just buy play sand from big box store, it produces less dust in my opinion.

[@Alexis_theRealtor]

I live in a area with sand could I just use that sand and pine needles dry leaves?

[@reneebrown2968]

Sounds like you get next to no compost from your girls

[@Pcola_drone]

@@Alexis_theRealtor I live a block from the beach. Could I use beach sand?

[@IsabelWolinsky]

Since trying hemp fibre in my coop I wouldn't use anything else. It's terrific.

[@nehemiahnaga3135]

I use saw dust and it also sustain the smell dramatically

[@epringle3769]

This is a great video! Thank you for doing the tests. I am currently using hemp but was considering other options. This video comparison validates my current method is probably the best thing I’m going to get! The only issue I have with the hemp is the puffy substance which resembles mini tumbleweed but much softer. It sticks to the bottom of the chickens feet if there is any poop on them.

[@ChiefHemp]

You have an inferior unscreened hemp & if your getting tumbleweeds this does not exist in the brand LSCoops uses/sells. The tumbleweed you’re referring to is the presence of fiber. That source is inferior if present. LSC uses Aubiose/AubiChick or Cocoon aka AubiZoo all are IHemp

[@Bluegrassdeb]

Tony I thought that voice sounded like you and didn’t know for sure. This is Debra a amc investor. Good chicken video!

[@justlookin2]

I use pine shavings in the coop and turn it daily, no smells. I use straw in the run and its an absolute mess. I hate it. Will try hemp. Thanks for the informative video!

[@shirleym4309]

Thank you! I am new to keeping chickens and just learning. Hemp it is!

[@lisahull6059]

Right? My husband is working on my coop and its not done yet. Great video!

[@HuongHoang-ct1hw]

like your method of testing the materials

[@daylematthews]

Really great video. So good to see something based on fact. Not easy to source hemp animal bedding where I live but will keep looking.

[@juliejenkins3572]

On line

[@hpygrl71]

We use barn lime and wood fuel pellets, about 10" deep. They don't disintegrate like horse pellets. I wonder how they compare. Also, I wonder how would shredded Aspen shavings compare to pine? We also use rough mulch that's free from a local tree company in the run. Where do you get industrial hemp?

[@wildedibles819]

I prefered the smell of the hemp over Pine shavings when cleaning up or walking by a dirty coop the pine can smell The hemp at the same time of cleaning stage was smell free and cleaner Hemp lasts longer and the shred of it is better for birds You can get hem mats for animals my rabbits shredded them so loose litter was better but for smaller animals it can be convient in a matt

[@reneebrown2968]

I plan on leaves in the run and sawdust in the coop.

[@kylecrusch2804]

I personally use shredded cardboard and paper in my coop, on a dirt floor. Works very well and have not had any smell in the 3 years I have used it

[@lauramorgan2003]

Thanks for the info I'm sure to try .it going to be hard work but I'm going to try.

[@msunrise3]

@ Kyle Crusch- How so you shred cardboard?

[@AZHighlandHomestead]

This is so great. We just found out that horse alfalfa pellets are a great way to add nitrogen to our compost pile. I wonder if alfalfa horse pellets could be used as chicken bedding, then added to the compost. I imagine the nitrogen content of the chicken droppings combined with the alfalfa nitrogen would be great to add to leaves in the fall.

[@lindabirmingham603]

Wouldn't they eat it?

[@AZHighlandHomestead]

@@lindabirmingham603 too big

[@semperparatus678]

I use hay only because it's cheap. Been using it for a year now. I place it in their roosts, and their large run. I use about 7 standard bails per month. No problems, just saying this because of cost issues. It is however dusty and it also does not absord at all as far ass crap goes. But when it's time to be replaced I simply shovel or rake it up and use it in my trees and plants. VERY GOOD VIDEO THOUGH.

[@caperica]

where can you buy and bail of hemp? I have only seen small bags that are very expensive/

[@shousden84]

Thank you for mentioning that the flies are attracted to the horsepen pellets. I would also love to hear why. I had a hard time with them in my rabbit hutch. I was a little horrified to find maggots in them and I never went longer than a week cleaning it. I usually cleaned it every 3 days or 4 at most, making it a few times a week. After that, I also increased the percentage of vinegar in my vinegar water cleaner blend. But I'm a little traumatized to use them with my chickens.

[@lonestarcoops6889]

The only thing we have been able to figure out is they are attracted to the high moisture retention.

[@woodsie5796]

Great video; good content. I think when I finish my pine shavings I will look into hemp. There are many hemp growing places in Maine so it shouldn't be a problem. Do you know if hemp is recommended for goats?

[@d.j.robinson9424]

Great video, I'm trying this in my hen house. 💚👍👍

[@cultureal9544]

Thank you for hemp comment.

[@samanyaaadmi2676]

Rice bran is used widely in India. Can you do a analyse for that too

[@normaandersson]

Great information. I appreciate the thoroughness.

[@laylascuteserama6171]

I am def gonna try hemp thank you for the video

[@somethingsgottagive8282]

Someone recently suggested meat moss. Not sure how that compares. Would all materials be similar for reuse for garden compost after coop is cleaned out?

[@debkincaid2891]

This is so cool! Thanks for this. New chicken mama.

[@sapelesteve]

Very interesting video! My son is just building a coop for 8 chickens. Anyway, where can I order the Industrial Hemp product? Is it possible to purchase it on line? Thanks.... 👍👍🐓🐓

[@lisahull6059]

Carolina Coops!

[@hsjserrato5158]

Thank you! will check your site out for sure!

[@garybrinker4522]

Pine shavings can be sold in 3 grades; course, medium and fine. What one would you consider?

[@glohora]

Hi! Great, instructive video 👍 can you use hemp bedding in the run? Mine is partly covered, but not completely… and it often rains

[@davidogle7568]

Very informative thank you

[@hydraulicbaler8857]

Really great video.

[@tropicalfruitssouthflorida154]

Very informative!!

[@marycrittenden1210]

Very informative! Thanks for the info!

[@NAPMedia-uy3oe]

Great video

[@mabdinur85]

Horse pellets is nitrogen rich right? Isn't that going to make some super hot composte when paired with chicken manure? Might be good as an additive for winterizing I suppose with pine shavings. Hemp/ Saw Dust/ or Pine Shavings are the best ... I say get whichever is nearest you for the right price you can afford to spend on a budget.

[@lonestarcoops6889]

Hi Mohamed, the pellet bedding for horses used in this test is compressed sawdust.

[@glennlewman4186]

Have you ever added Biochar to your bedding ?

[@georgetteetourneaux3350]

great info

[@shielaproudfoot6695]

So, I can see why you would say the hemp is the best since you sell it. Can you refer me to an unbiased test or resource?

[@tipr8739]

lol maybe they sell it because its the best

[@mulph7738]

Thank you. Great video

[@ranjanty]

I never use bedding because my chickens leave the coop at sunrise and return at sunset. I just clean every two weeks.

[@mtnn4459]

good video

[@reneebrown2968]

Find a cabinet shop for saw dust.

[@stephenhines2795]

Just phone you guys but I don’t know if you’re still making videos are you still out there because it looks like it’s two years ago was your latest video

[@bevami1]

What do you think about putting hemp on the bottom with Pune shavings on the top?

[@lisahull6059]

😀 Interesting idea !

[@katemiller6567]

Interesting video. Any chance "Aubiose" is your sponsor?

[@carolhallam4644]

I believe you gave a link for where to buy hemp. but now I can't find it. Can you please give it again?

[@lonestarcoops6889]

LonestarCoops.com

[@emailsupport2873]

Just wanted to say great test with the absorbency. Is there any combination or type of bedding you would recommend for colder weather, where temps can be 32 or below in winter? Thx

[@lonestarcoops6889]

Email Support Thanks! If your goal is using deep litter to generate some hear, keep in mind Deep Litter is not going to generate a lot of extra heat unless you have really active composting going on. The shallow depth (6-12”) of the litter also makes hot composting difficult. Hot composting may require adding in extra moisture, vegetable matter etc, which can be tricky to manage. Compared to our standard garden compost piles which get up to 130 degrees, our Deep Litter has been just at ambient temperatures in the summer. We will be posting winter updates with Deep Litter temperature measurements of our system here on the channel so check back, and feel free to add in future comments how your success goes.

[@Keepitoriginalministry]

@@lonestarcoops6889 do y’all sell all these different bedding?

[@abelcortezvargas5594]

Good info

[@caroljeanscholl7370]

Does industrial hemp come in a standard bale size I'm trying to find out what the weight or size of the bale you show in the video.

[@tabithafredricks5607]

I disagree with your review of horse pellets. We use them and have virtually NO smell and they dry fairly quickly

[@TheRoseofasia]

How can keep the chicken poop be chicken manure for garden?

[@sumairsiyal8022]

Rice husk...?

[@Henrythegreat115]

Rice husk and straw that had been dripped in lime a night to kick out the dust and harmful bacterias and dried off a day mixed bedding are the best.

[@PLJS2018]

Test next Peat Moss thank you

[@johnjohnson8895]

You could have just as easily looked at the level of the waters in each bucket after the pull outs. Sorry!

[@MsCaterific]

💚

[@jerink3588]

My chicks are eating the bedding

[@deadmanlyndon]

If it's baby chicks, they should not be on bedding, but on cardboard or newspaper, since they cannot tell the difference in what to eat.

[@skimark8275]

absorbent means nothing, what medium composts does

[@brenda8877]

Where do you get hemp at ty