Bedding, Feeders & Supplies
"Build the Comfort System"
📺 Watch & learn: Deep Litter Method for Beginners
Today's Goal
Today’s Goal
Students will understand how bedding, feeders, and essential supplies create a clean, healthy, and efficient chicken environment in both coops and runs.
Key Learning Points
Bedding absorbs waste and controls odor and moisture Feeders reduce waste and protect food from contamination Proper supply placement improves flock behavior and health Clean systems prevent disease buildup Maintenance routines are essential for sustainability
Teacher's Talking Script
“A chicken coop is not just built once — it is maintained every day.” “Good farmers don’t just add things — they organize systems.” “Clean bedding and smart feeders prevent problems before they start.”
Warm-Up Game
“SUPPLY SORT RELAY”
Instructions
Set up mixed supply cards/items: Bedding, Feed, Water, Tools, Trash items (decoys). Teams race to sort into correct categories.
What It Teaches
Organization skills System thinking Fast decision-making under pressure
Demonstration
“COOP SYSTEM SETUP LAB”
Materials
Pine shavings / straw bedding Nest box liner Hanging feeder Gravity waterer Storage bin for feed Cleaning tools (rake, shovel)
Demonstration Steps
Show correct setup: Bedding depth (2–4 inches), Dry vs wet bedding comparison, Feeder height placement, Waterer elevation to reduce contamination. Teacher line: “When systems are placed correctly, animals take care of themselves better.”
Main Game
“BUILD THE PERFECT COOP SYSTEM CHALLENGE”
Game Purpose: Teams design a fully functioning coop interior system.
How It Works
Each team must design and place: Bedding zone, Feeding station, Water station, Nesting area, Cleaning access point.
Twist Cards (Instructor Adds Live)
Wet bedding outbreak Feed spillage problem Water contamination Overstocked coop Strong odor complaint
How to Win — Scoring
System organization (5 pts) Hygiene control (5 pts) Problem solving (5 pts) Team coordination (5 pts) Highest “System Efficiency Score” wins.
Play the Mini-Game
Bedding Choices
0/5Materials Needed
Cardboard boxes or coop diagram sheets Paper “supply” cards Mock bedding materials (paper shreds, straw, etc.) Cups for feeders/waterers Tape/markers Low-cost option: Everything can be made from recycled classroom materials.
Group Quiz
What is the purpose of bedding in a coop?
Journal Prompt
“Why do small daily tasks matter more than big one-time changes on a farm?”
My Journal
"Why do small daily tasks matter more than big one-time changes on a farm?"
Draw It!
Sketch what you learned — your masterpiece saves on its own.
Fun Fact
Did You Know?
Chickens naturally prefer clean, dry bedding and will avoid dirty nesting areas when possible.
Instructor Notes
Emphasize
Systems are ongoing, not one-time setups; hygiene is a daily responsibility; small neglect = big problems later. Teach this phrase: “Clean systems = healthy birds.”
Common Beginner Mistakes
Letting bedding stay wet too long Placing feeders on the ground Mixing water and feed areas Ignoring smell or moisture buildup
Extension Challenge
Home Mission
Design a “Daily Coop Maintenance Checklist” including: Bedding check, Feed check, Water check, Cleaning schedule. Bonus: Find 3 low-cost bedding materials usable in urban farming. Completed at home Shared with family Ready to present next session
Just For Your Age
Ages 5–8
Sorting game only (clean vs dirty) Simple coop drawing activity
Ages 9–12
Full system build challenge Group cleanup simulation
Ages 13–18
Deep litter method systems, cost efficiency of bedding materials, automation of feeders/waterers Mini Challenge: Design a low-cost coop maintenance plan