Our Cannabis Journey: The Miracle of Hemp Beddingfeatured

Cannabis is being cultivated for many uses, mostly related to smoking and oral ingestion.  Middle-aged folks would not recognize today’s recreational marijuana.  Cannabis has been genetically modified, engineered, and cultivated to increase its THC content to astronomical percentages!  The modern psychoactive potential of “weed”, “grass”, or “dope” is intimidating for those who live outside the marijuana lifestyle.

At Grace and Hope Farm, we have finally figured out a way to become part of cannabis culture in a socially responsible manner.  I am pleased to report that our farm enthusiastically supports “Cannabis Sativa” and the many miracle products provided by the plant.  Petra, the kids, and even our hens are chronic users!  Industrial hemp is a God send — just as the cannabis culture has advertised!  It is the only product that we will use for bedding in our hen house for the many reasons we will describe in this article.

Why Hemp Bedding?

Hemp bedding is becoming an increasingly popular choice for hen house owners looking for an eco-friendly and comfortable option for their feathered friends. Hemp is a fast-growing, sustainable crop that is naturally resistant to pests and diseases, making it an excellent alternative to traditional bedding materials. 

One of the biggest benefits of using hemp bedding is that it is highly absorbent. Hemp can absorb up to four times its weight in liquid, making it a great choice for wetter climates or for owners who have multiple hens in a single coop. This absorbency helps keep the coop dry and odor-free, which is important for the health and wellbeing of your hens. 

Hemp bedding is also non-toxic and biodegradable. This means it is safe for your hens, and for the environment.  Hemp bedding can also help keep your hens warm in colder temperatures, as it remains insulated even when wet. 

Finally, hemp bedding is also dust-free, making it a great option for owners with respiratory issues. This dust-free quality is also beneficial for your hens, as it helps to reduce the risk of respiratory problems. 

Our Cannabis Journey

When Petra first bought a bail of hemp bedding, I was certainly suspicious.  I thought she found a way to pay much more for bedding without much benefit.  We have been using hemp bedding for almost 4 months.  In that time, we have NOT changed the bedding.

There is very little odor in the hen house.  I am constantly surprised by the moisture and odor absorbing capacity of hemp bedding.  Either Petra or I have to maintain the bedding about once a week.  Maintenance is taking a pitch fork and turning the bedding over.  Takes only 3 minutes!  Every couple of weeks, we will throw in a few more handfuls of hemp bedding on top, if we have any odor.

The comparison with pine bedding is night and day.  We bedded our old hen house with pine shavings. 4 months after their departure, the odor in the hen house is still pungent and overwhelming!  (Yes, we’ve been lazy over the winter and haven’t shoveled it out yet. It’s on the list!) A 33 pound bag of hemp bedding is going to run you $60 – 70 (or 2 – 3 times the price of pine bedding).  After using it only a few weeks, you’ll understand how hemp is more cost effective as a bedding!  The odors in your hen house will be substantially reduced and you’ll be using far less bedding.

We use hemp inside the chicken run from time to time when conditions are wet and muddy.  In the wet Tennessee winter, mud can be a big issue and being able to quickly and easily deal with it is amazing. The hemp is far more absorbent than straw and biodegrades over time. 

Deep Litter Method

At Grace and Hope Farm, we use a deep litter method inside our hen house.  Deep litter method is a popular hen house management technique used to maintain a clean and healthy living environment for chickens. It involves adding a deep bedding layer of absorbent material such as hemp bedding. The bedding material is used to absorb moisture and to provide insulation for the chickens. It also provides a comfortable place for the chickens to roost at night. After about a year of use, we take the hemp out of our hen house and use it in our garden. Overall, this system is a win-win for us and our hens.

Ideally, a deep bedding layer should be 6-8 inches deep in a hen house. Any deeper than that may be too deep for the birds to move around, while any shallower may not be deep enough to absorb all the moisture from the droppings. 

Hemp Bedding is an Incredible Choice

All in all, hemp bedding is an excellent choice for hen house owners looking for an eco-friendly and comfortable option for their feathered friends. With its absorbency, non-toxicity, and dust-free quality, it’s no wonder hemp bedding is becoming a popular choice for hen houses.