Bedding and Litter Costs

Budget $5 to $15 per month for coop and brooder bedding depending on flock size. Pine shavings cost $6 to $10 per compressed bale and cover roughly 16 square feet at 3 to 4 inches deep. Straw bales run $4 to $8 each. A 10-bird flock needs bedding replaced or topped off every 1 to 2 weeks with the standard swap-out method.

Why It Works

Clean, dry bedding prevents ammonia buildup, footpad dermatitis, and respiratory infections. Budgeting for regular replacement ensures flock health is not sacrificed as costs accumulate over a 4 to 7 month growing period.

Tips

• Use the deep litter method to reduce full cleanouts to 2 to 3 times per growing season instead of weekly
• Use kiln-dried pine shavings rather than cedar, which contains oils toxic to poultry respiratory systems
• Compost spent bedding and turkey manure for high-nitrogen garden fertilizer, recovering value from the expense