I use shredded computer paper for everything: bedding, nesting, etc. I love it. It's free and works great.

You can also use wood chips, hay, straw. Hens are not picky and will get used to anything. I did use hardwood shavings from a friend's wood shop, at first, until they ran out. I then switched to the shredded computer paper. The hens didn't use the nests the first day that I switched, but after that first day it hasn't been a problem.

Thank You!!

I use good ol' straw.

Velvet ~:>

I was using straw and I found it was a little awkward to clean out the pen because of the poop sticking in it. I use a dust pan to scoop it out. I then switched to pine bedding and it was much easier to work with. I am also going to start throwing the stuff in the compost bin. Then runningtrails gave the idea of shredded paper and I am going to try that next since like she said it is free. I might try exclusively shredded paper (confetti style) or the shredded paper mixed with the pine bedding.

I use shredded news print in the pans under the rabbits , tried it for the birds but found it to not be ideal. I did use shredded newsprint mixed with pine shavings which was effective. White pine needles work pretty good, better mixed with shavings.
Ideal bedding is absorbant, not prone to pack, easily stirred by scratching birds or caretakers, not prone to mold and reasonably priced. Leaves can be good but they have to be dry when used.

cool thank you!!

If you can snatch bagged leaves or even grass clippings (no chemicals of course) from your neighbors it's a good bedding and it can go straight to the compost pile...

I have many, many bags of leaves saved from the fall, too, but I'm saving those to use for mulch on my garden in the spring. I can use the shredded paper for that too, but it's so white, it looks odd, I think. May do anyway.