Best Bedding For Chicken Coops: The Complete Guide

Best Bedding For Chicken Coops

Choosing the best bedding for your chicken coop is one of those decisions that might take a little trial and error. Every keeper has their own preferences, but one rule applies to all: your chosen bedding must keep the coop dry, control odour and provide a comfortable space for your flock. In this guide, you will find a full breakdown of the main options, including the pros and cons of each material, to help you make an informed decision.

Why good bedding matters

Bedding is about much more than comfort. The right material helps to absorb moisture, suppress smells, insulate against the cold, and protect your chickens’ respiratory health by minimising dust. Damp, smelly bedding can lead to health problems, increased cleaning and a miserable environment for your hens.

Speaking personally, I have found that investing time into finding the right bedding pays off quickly. A good bedding choice reduces both daily maintenance and longer-term issues like parasites or respiratory irritation.

Qualities to look for

Whichever bedding you choose, it should provide:

• High absorbency to handle moisture
• Effective odour control
• Low dust content
• Softness for comfort and nesting
• Ease of cleaning
• Safe composition if accidentally ingested
• Availability and affordability

Straw

Straw remains one of the most popular choices among British backyard chicken keepers. According to a recent survey by the BHWT, around 43% of keepers favour straw.

Good quality, dust-extracted chopped straw can provide insulation, comfort, and allows hens to scratch and forage naturally. Some products, like Dengie Fresh Bed, even add pine oil to help suppress odours and discourage mites.

However, straw does have its weaknesses. It is not highly absorbent and can mat down if left too long, leading to damp patches underneath. This can create conditions where parasites such as red mite thrive. If you opt for straw, regular cleaning is essential.

Amazon sells a good range of straw for chicken coops.

Wood shavings

Wood shavings are another popular option, used by around 29% of keepers in the same BHWT survey. They are widely available, relatively inexpensive and excellent at absorbing moisture.

The key is to select dust-extracted shavings made specifically for animal bedding. Pine shavings are commonly used, but you should avoid cedar, which contains aromatic oils that can harm chickens’ respiratory systems.

I have seen many keepers favour shavings for their balance of absorbency, cost and ease of handling, though they are not as insulating as straw.

Try Storm Trading’s softwood shavings for chicken coops

Hemp bedding

Hemp bedding has grown in popularity, and for good reason. Made from the stalks of the hemp plant, it is highly absorbent, excellent at controlling odour, and produces minimal dust. These qualities make it particularly suitable for chickens with sensitive respiratory systems.

Its insulating properties also help maintain warmth during colder months, and because it breaks down well in compost, it is an environmentally friendly option too.

The main drawback is availability and price. Hemp bedding is typically more expensive and may not be stocked by every supplier, though many online retailers now carry products like Aubiose and Hemcore. Personally, I think hemp is one of the most effective types of bedding for chicken coops especially when it comes to long-term hygiene.

AibiChick makes hemp bedding specially for hens.

Shredded paper

Shredded paper can appeal to keepers looking for a low-cost or recycled option, especially if you have a home paper shredder. It retains heat well, which can be useful in winter.

However, it is extremely absorbent and tends to become wet and sodden quickly. This means it needs to be changed far more often than other materials. You must also ensure any ink or coating on the paper is safe, and avoid glossy magazines or coated sheets.

Sand

There is some disagreement around using sand for coop bedding. The British Hen Welfare Trust, for example, advise against it, citing absorbency issues. Others find it effective when used correctly.

If you do use sand, it must be coarse washed construction sand, not fine play sand, which can cause crop impaction if eaten. In its favour, sand drains well, does not harbour mites easily, and allows droppings to be raked out quickly. It works best in dry, well-ventilated coops rather than damp or shaded conditions where it can compact and hold moisture.

However, sand has several drawbacks that I think make it impractical for many backyard setups. It can be quite expensive to purchase in sufficient volume, especially compared to organic materials. Once wet, it becomes extremely heavy, making removal or replacement physically difficult. Unlike straw, hemp or wood shavings, sand is not compostable, so disposal can be more complicated and costly. In my experience, these factors often outweigh the limited benefits for most small-scale keepers.

Materials to avoid

Some materials are simply unsuitable or unsafe for chicken bedding:

• Hay: Often eaten by hens, risking impacted crop. Its high moisture content can also encourage mould growth.
• Sawdust: Too fine and dusty, posing respiratory risks.
• Cedar shavings: Contain oils that may damage liver and respiratory health.
• Play sand: Too fine, posing digestive dangers.
• Flat cardboard or newspaper sheets: Poor absorbency and can become dangerously slippery.

Nesting box bedding

Nesting boxes benefit from softer materials that cushion eggs and keep them clean. Many keepers use chopped straw, dust-extracted shavings or hemp. Keeping nesting areas clean and dry helps prevent egg contamination and discourages hens from sleeping in the boxes.

Cleaning and maintenance

Whatever bedding you choose, good hygiene is crucial. Regularly remove soiled bedding, spot-clean daily if possible, and carry out full deep cleans with safe disinfectant every few weeks.

For full cleaning instructions, see our guide: 10 Tips for Safely Cleaning Your Chicken Coop..

My personal advice

From experience, I find that hemp is the best bedding for chicken coops. Despite the higher price, it offers the best all-round benefits. That said, well-managed pine shavings or good quality chopped straw serve many backyard keepers perfectly well. As with most aspects of chicken keeping, finding the right bedding often involves a bit of experimentation.

Conclusion

While there is no single “perfect” bedding for chicken coops, materials like hemp, pine shavings, and chopped straw consistently perform well for British backyard flocks. Always focus on moisture control, odour reduction, and respiratory safety, and keep your coop well maintained. Your hens will reward you with better health, cleaner eggs and a fresher-smelling hen house.

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