Chickens
Benefits of Hemp Bedding for Chicken Coops
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Hemp bedding is a natural, plant-based option made from the stalk of the hemp plant, used on the floor of chicken coops to help soak up moisture, control smells and make clean-ups a bit easier. It’s becoming more popular with Aussie chicken owners who are looking for a simpler, more natural alternative to traditional bedding.
If you’ve kept chickens for a while, you’ll know the coop can get messy fast. Finding bedding that actually makes life easier is a game changer!
In this blog, we’ll walk through what hemp bedding is, how it works in a coop, and whether it might be a good fit for your flock.
Key Takeaways
- Bedding helps keep the coop clean, dry and more comfortable for your chickens, while also making maintenance easier for you.
- Hemp bedding is a natural, plant-based bedding made from the hemp plant’s inner core and is commonly sold in compressed bricks for animal use.
- Hemp is highly absorbent, low in dust and helps control odours, creating a cleaner and healthier coop environment.
- Hemp is generally more expensive than wood shavings.
- You can buy hemp bedding at rural supply stores and some pet retailers. But it is not always easy to find in Australia.
- It’s simple to prepare and use. Just fluff it up, spread it in the coop, and replace it regularly with routine spot cleaning in between.
- There are several alternatives like wood shavings, paper-based bedding and straw, each with its own pros and cons depending on your setup.
Why Use Bedding in Your Chicken Coop?
Most chicken coops are set up with two main areas: an outdoor run where chickens scratch around in the dirt, and a sheltered house area where they sleep and lay their eggs.
It’s this sheltered section that really needs bedding on the floor.
The main job of bedding is to soak up droppings and any other mess. This helps keep the coop cleaner, reduces smells and prevents moisture build-up. All of which makes things healthier for your chooks and a lot less unpleasant for you!
It also gives your chickens a softer, more comfortable surface to rest on. Good bedding can help protect their feet plus reduce the chance of eggs cracking when they’re laid.
Ideally, you want a bedding that’s highly absorbent and disposable. Every week or so, you will need to clean out the bedding and replace it with fresh bedding.
What is Hemp Bedding?
Hemp bedding is an animal bedding used in chicken coops that is becoming more popular in Australia.
It’s made from the cannabis plant, using the woody inner core (called the hurd), which is dried and then mulched into a soft bedding material.
It’s commonly sold in compressed bricks through rural supply stores and online pet retailers.
Although it comes from the cannabis plant, it has no connection to marijuana and is legal to purchase and use.
Advantages of Using Hemp Bedding for Chicken Coops
Hemp bedding has become popular for a few good reasons, especially compared to more traditional coop bedding options.
Highly Absorbent
Hemp is very absorbent and porous, helping to soak up moisture and droppings quickly. This keeps the coop drier and can reduce how often you need to do a full clean-out.
Odour Control
While hemp itself has a fairly neutral smell, its absorbent nature helps trap moisture and reduce ammonia build-up. This helps keep odours under control and creates a healthier environment for your flock.
Low Dust
Hemp bedding is naturally low in dust compared to options like wood shavings, which can help reduce irritation to your chickens’ respiratory systems and eyes.
Compostable
It’s biodegradable and breaks down easily, so it can be added to compost once removed from the coop.
Soft Underfoot
Hemp provides a soft surface for chickens to walk and rest on, which can help support foot health and create a cushioned landing when they jump down or lay eggs.
Sustainable
Hemp is a fast growing crop that is often grown with minimal pesticides or chemicals, making it a more environmentally friendly bedding choice.
Disadvantages of Using Hemp Bedding for Chicken Coops
The main downside to hemp bedding is the cost. It’s generally more expensive than other options. We found that many rural farm stores sell hemp bedding for around $10 per kilogram while wood shavings can be as low as $2 per kilogram.
That said, because hemp is so absorbent and tends to last longer between full changes, some chicken keepers find the overall cost balances out over time. A common approach is to mix hemp with wood shavings to reduce cost while still getting some of the benefits.
Availability can also be an issue. It’s not stocked as widely as other bedding types, and supply can vary depending on the season and demand.
Where to Buy Hemp Bedding From
In Australia, hemp bedding is usually available from rural supply stores, often found in country towns and regional areas. These stores typically stock a range of poultry supplies, including chicken feed.
You can also find hemp bedding at some pet stores, both in person and online.
It’s usually sold in a compressed brick form, and around $10 per kilogram. If you’re buying online, it’s worth keeping in mind that shipping costs can sometimes add up due to the large volume.
How to Use Hemp Bedding in Your Chicken Coop
Hemp bedding usually comes in a compressed brick, often wrapped in plastic. Simply open it up and fluff it out so it expands.
Spread it evenly across the floor of your coop to create a full layer over the base.
During the week, you can spot clean by removing any heavily soiled areas as needed. Then, about once a week (or when it starts to look or smell bad), remove all the bedding and replace it with fresh hemp.
If you have a Somerzby coop, you can simply slide out the tray, tip the used bedding straight into your compost, and refill with a clean layer.
Other Chicken Coop Bedding Options
Wood Shavings
Wood shavings are one of the most common bedding choices. They’re absorbent, help control odours and are easy to find at most pet or rural stores. Pine shavings are generally preferred, while cedar is often avoided due to potential health concerns. Sawdust is very dusty and can irritate chickens’ eyes and airways. Wood chips don’t absorb well enough for inside the coop, but they can be useful in muddy outdoor runs to improve drainage.
Shredded Paper, Newspaper and Cardboard
These are a budget friendly option that also helps reuse household waste. They’re low in dust, which is better for respiratory health, but they don’t absorb moisture as well as other bedding types and may need more frequent changing. They can also become slippery, especially for chicks. Glossy paper, like magazines, should be avoided as it’s less absorbent and more prone to causing slipping.
Straw and Hay
Straw is an affordable, low-dust option that works well in nesting boxes. It offers moderate absorbency but isn’t as effective as other bedding for full coop floors and can be a bit harder to remove when cleaning. Hay is similar but retains more moisture, which can lead to mould and faster breakdown, meaning more frequent changes and higher ongoing cost.
FAQ
Is hemp bedding safe for chickens?
Yes, hemp bedding is safe for chickens and won’t harm them if they peck at it. While it comes from the cannabis plant, it has no effect on your flock and won’t make them “high”.
We don’t recommend it for baby chick hatcheries, not because hemp is dangerous, but because chicks may peck at soiled bedding, which can be unhygienic and may make them unwell.
Can mites live in hemp bedding?
No bedding is completely mite-proof, but hemp is naturally less attractive to mites and fleas as it is a natural pesticide. Regular coop cleaning is still important to help prevent infestations.
Is hemp bedding better than pine shavings for chickens?
Many chicken keepers prefer hemp because it’s more absorbent and produces less dust than pine shavings. This can help reduce odours and create a cleaner, more comfortable environment for your flock.
Toni’s Wrap
Choosing the right bedding can make a surprising difference to the day-to-day care of your chickens, from how fresh the coop feels to how easy it is to keep on top of cleaning.
Hemp bedding is one of those options that’s worth a closer look, especially if you’re after something natural, absorbent and easy to manage. Hopefully this has given you a clearer, more confident feel for how it works in a coop and where it might fit into your routine.
At the end of the day, it’s about finding what suits your flock and the way you like to care for them, so you can keep things simple, clean and comfortable for everyone.
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