Best Chicken Coop Bedding: Hemp, Pellets, and Straw Options Explained
If you've ever shopped for poultry bedding or wondered what's best for your chicken coop, you know how many options there are. Straw, shavings, pellets, hemp, and everything in between. The right poultry bedding keeps your coop clean, dry, and odor-free, especially if you're using the deep litter method.
At Carolina Coops, we've tested just about every type of chicken coop bedding out there. We've found a few that truly stand out—from our premium poultry hemp bedding for deep litter setups to hemp pellets and HealthStraw FarmStraw for wetter runs or duck coops. Here's how to choose the best bedding for your flock (and maybe even your garden).
Hemp Poultry Bedding: Our Top Pick for the Deep Litter Method
Carolina Coops Premium Hemp Poultry Bedding has been our go-to for years—and for good reason. It's naturally absorbent, compostable, and incredibly low-dust. This makes it ideal for both your chickens and you.
Why Hemp Bedding Works Best
Hemp helps absorb moisture, which is key for the deep litter method. With this approach, bedding layers decompose over time, creating a natural compost right inside your coop. That is the beauty of the deep litter.
Unlike straw or wood shavings, hemp doesn't mat down as quickly and allows for airflow. This helps keep your litter dry and healthy. Using hemp bedding with the deep litter method helps promote beneficial microbes. These microbes contribute to your flock's health. It's important to maintain microbial balance and avoid using diatomaceous earth in the litter. You want a good mix of carbon (litter) and nitrogen (chicken poop). We cannot say this enough, using poultry hemp bedding and the deep litter method lets you go over a year without cleaning out your coop.
How to Use Hemp Bedding in Your Coop
Initial setup: Start with a 3-4 inch base layer of hemp bedding.
When to add more: Use your nose as your guide. When it starts to smell, add a fresh layer on top. You can also mix it up with a rake (a three-pronged rake works great for this).
Maintenance frequency: By keeping the right balance, using hemp with the deep litter method lets you go well over a year without cleaning the henhouse. I average every two years!
Coverage: Our premium hemp bedding covers approximately 5 cubic feet at a 3-4-inch depth per 30 lbs.
Pro tip: The composted and cured litter makes incredible garden fertilizer. Your tomatoes will thank you!
Deep Litter Method Explained: Low Maintenance Chicken Bedding
Explore all our bedding options
Hemp Pellets: The Economical Choice for Large Animals and Wet Runs
Carolina Coops® Ultra Absorbent Hemp Pellet Bedding is a fantastic option if you're looking for easy cleanup and maximum absorbency. They're particularly popular with horse owners, but they work beautifully for large chicken flocks too.
Benefits of Hemp Pellets
Expands when wet: Pellets absorb moisture and expand into fluffy bedding
Super absorbent: Holds more liquid than traditional shavings
Organic, sustainable hemp: Grown organically and processed in the USA
Low acid: Not acidic like pine pellets, contributing to a healthier environment
Cost-effective for volume: Compressed pellets mean more bedding per bag
Best Uses for Hemp Pellets
Hemp pellets work exceptionally well for:
Large coops and wet runs with 20+ chickens
Automatic or frequent coop cleaning systems
Areas where you need to absorb wetness, such as duck runs
Mixed poultry operations (chickens, ducks, geese)
Coverage: Hemp pellets expand significantly—one bag covers approximately 30 square feet at a 1/2-inch depth at first and goes even further when fully expanded.
"We cannot say this enough, using poultry hemp bedding and the deep litter method lets you go over a year without cleaning out your coop.."
HealthiStraw FarmStraw: Perfect for Wet Runs and Duck Coops
HealthiStraw FarmStraw is our top recommendation for wetter runs or duck coops. Its coarse texture handles moisture exceptionally well.
Why Choose FarmStraw?
Handles wet conditions: Perfect for rainy climates or water-loving birds
Coarse texture: Doesn't compact easily, maintains airflow
Natural and biodegradable: Made from sustainably sourced wheat straw
Excellent absorption: Water is wicked from the bottom, keeping the top layer dry
Ideal Applications
Outdoor chicken runs
Duck and waterfowl housing
Garden integration (can be placed directly in garden beds as mulch)
Wet weather climates
Coverage: HealthiStraw FarmStraw covers approximately 50-100 square feet per bale, depending on desired depth.
Bedding Options
Hemp Fiber Nesting Pads: Premium Comfort for Your Laying Hens
Don't forget about your nesting boxes! Our Premium Hemp Fiber Nesting Pads provide a clean, comfortable spot for your hens to lay eggs. The nesting pads are from the same hemp farmers in the U.S. who make our bedding and pellets. They are bound together with sugar, so they smell sweet and are all-natural and compostable.
Nesting Pad Benefits
Pre-sized to fit standard nesting boxes
Soft and cushioned for egg protection
Naturally antimicrobial
Easy to replace—no mess, no fuss
Reduces broken eggs
Simply place them in your nesting boxes and replace as needed. We suggest putting hay or straw over the nest pads so your chickens can make a comfy nest. Your hens will appreciate the comfort, and you'll appreciate cleaner eggs!
"HealthiStraw FarmStraw is our top recommendation for wetter runs or duck coops. "
The Bottom Line: Choose Bedding Based on Your Method
The best chicken coop bedding depends on how you manage your coop:
✅ Deep litter method: Premium hemp bedding is unbeatable for long-term composting and coop health
✅ Frequent cleaning/large flocks: Ultra Absorbent Hemp pellets offer easy maintenance and excellent absorbency
✅ Wet conditions/outdoor runs: HealthStraw FarmStraw handles moisture like a champ
✅ Nesting boxes: Hemp fiber nesting pads keep eggs clean and protected
No matter which option you choose, quality bedding is an investment in your flock's health and your own peace of mind. Your chickens spend their entire lives in their coop—make it comfortable, clean, and healthy for them.
Ready to upgrade your coop bedding? Shop our complete collection of poultry bedding and give your flock the best.
Share your experience: What bedding works best for your coop? Drop a comment below or tag us on social media with your coop setup!
The Author: Ingrid Fromm
Since 2017, Ingrid has been living the backyard chicken dream—complete with what she lovingly calls her "bougie birds." Her journey began with the purchase of an American Coop, which eventually led to her role in marketing for Carolina Coops, where she gets to share her passion professionally. When she's not tending to her pampered poultry, you'll find Ingrid cultivating her permaculture food forest right in the heart of Raleigh, proving that sustainable, organic living thrives even within city limits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I change the bedding in my chicken coop?
With the deep litter method using hemp bedding, you can go 1-2 years (even longer!) between full cleanouts. Add fresh layers every 2-4 weeks or when you notice odors.
What's the best bedding for the deep litter method?
Carolina Coops Premium Hemp Bedding is ideal because it doesn't mat down quickly, promotes beneficial microbes, and maintains proper moisture balance.
Is hemp bedding worth the cost?
Yes! While hemp costs more upfront, it lasts significantly longer than straw or shavings, requires less frequent changing, and creates valuable compost.
Can I use hemp bedding for ducks?
Yes, you can. However, hemp pellets and HealthiStraw FarmStraw work well for ducks and very wet areas. Especially in the run areas, these options are also more economical.
Does hemp bedding attract bugs?
No—hemp is naturally pest-resistant and doesn't attract mites or insects like some other bedding types.
What should I avoid in chicken bedding?
Avoid cedar shavings (toxic to chickens), treated wood products, and anything dusty that could cause respiratory issues.
