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bedding --is it the right kind?

post #1 of 8
4/8/09 at 6:39pm
Thread Starter 

So I'm such a perfectionist everything is driving me nuts!  smile I've been using towels for the chicks bedding for the first 2 weeks.  They are doing great with it, we change the towel once a day.  Although now that the poop is bigger it is getting dirtier more often.  I'm thinking of switching to the pine shavings.  I bought a big bag last month from a family run farm store and they told me it was pine shavings.  I just looked at it and all is says is Pestell softwood shavings.  So..will this be ok?  I know I am not supposed to use cedar so now I'm freaked out that they sold me this huge amount of bedding I won't be able to use!  Thanks for advice!

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post #2 of 8
4/8/09 at 6:43pm

Sounds like they're ready for shavings.  When I brooded them, I only used paper towels for 2 days, then they went right on the shavings.  Now that I hatch under a broody, they end up on shavings right away.

I'd probably use the shavings.  Cedar is the only thing we're supposed to avoid.

One crisis at a time, please.
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post #3 of 8
4/8/09 at 6:44pm

They are old enough to take out the paper towels. A lot of people use pine shavings for the floor of their coop. You are right though no cedar. Have you taken any of the shavings you bought out of the bag?

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post #4 of 8
4/8/09 at 7:29pm

Yeb your good to go, use it and don't worry, they will be just fine.

good luck

Omran

Thanks God for everything I have and I don't have, thanks God for the Health and happiness and  the great Beleave in him and trusting him. Rich is not how much I have,but how much I can give, and how many real friends I can keep.Every day is a good day so long I can breath.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=13683
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Thanks God for everything I have and I don't have, thanks God for the Health and happiness and  the great Beleave in him and trusting him. Rich is not how much I have,but how much I can give, and how many real friends I can keep.Every day is a good day so long I can breath.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=13683
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post #5 of 8
4/8/09 at 8:38pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks.  I just contacted the company directly and this is what he said:

Hi,
Yes it is all softwood,pine, spruce and fir.There is no cedar. You should be okay.

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post #6 of 8
4/8/09 at 8:39pm
Thread Starter 

I actually use old bath towels in the brooder right now---not paper towels.

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post #7 of 8
4/8/09 at 8:45pm

how about news paper as long as it dont cost more than the paper towels,, especially if you get free weekly paper in the mail every week!?

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post #8 of 8
4/8/09 at 8:49pm

Lots of people use shredded newspaper, but it can be slick and cause leg problems if not shredded.

If there were cedar shavings in the bag of shavings, I believe you would be able to smell it, at least if it were in any quantity.  I'd use the wood shavings.

Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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Judy
Happiness is when you can look at your chickens and smile....
Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due.

Flockwatching my little bunch of mutts, a favorite pastime.

BYC Troubleshooting article -- click here

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