One of the questions we get asked all the time at Chuckles Chickens is:
“What bedding should I use in my chicken coop?”
And honestly — it’s a great question. The right bedding can mean:
- Less smell
- Less cleaning
- Healthier chickens
- Happier chicken keeper (that’s you!)
If you’ve ever opened your coop and been hit with a strong smell… you already know how important bedding is.
The good news? There are some excellent bedding options available in Australia — and some that are definitely better avoided.
In this guide, we’ll walk through:
- The most common bedding options
- The best bedding for Australian conditions
- The lowest smell options
- The lowest maintenance options
- What we personally use at Chuckles Chickens
What Makes Good Chicken Bedding?
Before we dive into the options, let’s quickly talk about what you should actually look for in chicken bedding.
Good bedding should:
- Absorb moisture
- Reduce smell
- Be safe for chickens
- Be easy to clean
- Be readily available
Moisture is the biggest issue in chicken coops. When bedding gets wet, it creates ammonia, which can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and even illness in your flock.
That’s why choosing the right bedding can make such a big difference.
1. Sand (What We Use at Chuckles Chickens)
At Chuckles Chickens, we personally use sand in our coops — and it’s honestly one of the lowest maintenance options we’ve found.
Once you try sand, it can be hard to go back.
Why Sand Works So Well
Sand works differently from other bedding. Instead of absorbing moisture like wood shavings or straw, sand allows droppings to dry quickly, which reduces smell and bacteria.
Cleaning is also incredibly easy — you simply scoop droppings like a cat litter tray.
Why We Love Sand
- Very low smell
- Extremely low maintenance
- Long lasting (can last months or even years)
- Great for Australian heat
- Dust bath friendly
- Cost effective long-term
Things to Keep in Mind
Sand works best when:
- Your coop has good drainage
- You use washed river sand (not fine sand)
- You remove droppings regularly
Best For
- Australian climates
- Busy chicken keepers
- Low maintenance setups
⭐ Low Smell Rating: 5/5
⭐ Low Maintenance: 5/5
At Chuckles Chickens, we’ve found sand especially helpful during hot Australian summers, when other bedding types can quickly become smelly.
2. Hemp Bedding (Premium Low-Smell Option)
Hemp bedding has become increasingly popular — and for good reason.
It’s extremely absorbent, low dust, and lasts longer than many other bedding types.
Why People Love Hemp
- Very absorbent
- Low smell
- Low dust
- Natural product
- Compostable
Hemp is particularly good in nesting boxes, where you want soft, clean bedding for eggs.
Downsides
The main downside is cost. Hemp tends to be more expensive upfront, but many people find it lasts longer, which helps offset the price.
Best For
- Nesting boxes
- Low smell setups
- Premium coop setups
⭐ Low Smell Rating: 5/5
⭐ Low Maintenance: 4/5
3. Pine Wood Shavings (Most Popular Choice)
Pine shavings are probably the most commonly used chicken bedding — and they’re a solid choice.
They’re easy to find at:
- Produce stores
- Pet stores
- Rural supply stores
- Hardware stores
Why Pine Shavings Work Well
- Affordable
- Easy to find
- Good absorption
- Compostable
They work particularly well in nesting boxes and smaller coops.
Downsides
Pine shavings can start to smell if they get wet, so they usually need to be changed more regularly than sand or hemp.
Best For
- Beginners
- Budget friendly setups
- Nesting boxes
⭐ Low Smell Rating: 4/5
⭐ Low Maintenance: 3/5
4. Straw (Traditional Option)
Straw is one of the most traditional bedding types, and it’s still commonly used today.
Pros
- Cheap
- Easy to find
- Good insulation
Cons
- Holds moisture
- Can grow mould
- Can smell quickly
- Needs frequent changing
Straw tends to work better in very dry climates or nesting boxes, but it’s usually not the best option for coop floors.
⭐ Low Smell Rating: 2/5
⭐ Low Maintenance: 2/5
5. Shredded Paper or Cardboard (Budget Option)
Some chicken keepers use shredded paper or cardboard, especially if they’re looking for a free option.
Pros
- Cheap or free
- Soft bedding
- Compostable
Cons
- Gets wet quickly
- Needs frequent changing
- Can become messy
This option is usually best for temporary bedding or nesting boxes.
⭐ Low Smell Rating: 2/5
⭐ Low Maintenance: 2/5
Bedding to Avoid
There are also a few bedding types that are best avoided.
Avoid Cedar Shavings
Cedar can cause respiratory issues in chickens.
Avoid Sawdust
Sawdust is too dusty and holds moisture, which can cause mould and breathing problems.
Be Careful with Grass Clippings
Fresh grass clippings can heat up and become mouldy quickly.
Lowest Smell Bedding (Ranked)
If smell is your biggest concern, here’s our ranking:
- Sand
- Hemp
- Pine shavings
- Straw
- Paper
Lowest Maintenance Bedding (Ranked)
If you want the easiest setup:
- Sand
- Hemp
- Pine shavings
- Straw
- Paper
Best Bedding Setup (Our Recommended Combo)
At Chuckles Chickens, we recommend:
- Sand on coop floors
- Pine shavings or hemp in nesting boxes
This combination gives you:
- Lowest smell
- Lowest maintenance
- Happy chickens
- Clean eggs
It’s also a setup that works really well in Australian conditions.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right bedding doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you’re looking for:
- Lowest smell → Go with sand or hemp
- Lowest maintenance → Sand is hard to beat
- Budget friendly → Pine shavings are a great option
At Chuckles Chickens, we’ve tried several bedding types over the years, and sand has consistently been our go-to choice for keeping things clean, simple, and low maintenance.
And honestly — anything that means less cleaning and happier chickens is a win in our books.