When we first started our backyard chicken journey, we did a lot of research on bedding for our girls. Clean, dry bedding is paramount in keeping your chickens healthy. Yet, if you have kept chickens for any length of time, you know they poop a lot wherever and whenever they want.
Why Bedding Matters: The Role of Ammonia in Chicken Health
Chicken poop contains nitrogen and when it’s broken down by bacteria or by getting wet, it creates ammonia. Too much of this can cause respiratory stress or other infections in your chickens. So, the need for good ventilation is vital to your chickens health as well as dry bedding.
Choosing the Right Bedding: Avoid Cedar Shavings
There are several bedding options to choose from, including pine shavings, straw, and other materials. We use the deep litter method with pine shavings because it works well in our setup and also creates amazing compost for our garden.
While many options are fine, one thing to avoid is cedar shavings. As lovely as they smell, cedar contains oils that can harm your chicken’s respiratory system. Stick to safe materials like pine or straw for the best results.
Read my blog about my deep litter method or watch a short video I made about it below!
Keeping Bedding Fresh and Dry with Coop Recuperate
A huge part of keeping your chicken bedding healthy is making sure it stays fresh and dry. Wet bedding, combined with chicken poop, attracts flies and becomes downright nasty. That’s why I swear by Coop Recuperate by Strong Animals Chicken Essentials—it’s been a game-changer for us!
Why Coop Recuperate Is a Must-Have for Chicken Keepers
Coop Recuperate contains organic essential oils like lemongrass and eucalyptus and smells AMAZING. It also contains organic diatomaceous earth which is a natural known fly repellant!
Diatomaceous earth sometimes gets a bad rap because of its properties that, if not used properly, can cause harm to your chicken's respiratory systems.
How Coop Recuperate Helps Your Flock
Reduces moisture and odor: Keeps bedding dry and smelling fresh.
Safe for chickens: Contains the perfect balance of natural ingredients.
Combats pests: Helps protect your flock from mites, fleas and lice.
Why I Love Coop Recuperate
If you’ve ever had a favorite lotion or essential oil you can’t get enough of, you’ll understand my love for Coop Recuperate! It’s my go-to product for keeping our chicken coop fresh, and I never let myself run out. It’s safe, effective and even helps improve the quality of your compost.
Until next time,
The Wing Lady
Coop Recuperate - Freshen Up Your Chicken Coop
Coop Recuperate is a safe and natural way to care for your coop. This coop refresher contains organic eucalyptus and lemongrass essential oil, along with diatomaceous earth to reduce odor and moisture and help improve the quality of your compost.