bonsaiherb
Chirping
Very true. I would caution against using it in brooders unless it is STERILIZED first and 10 percent or about. Normal garden gathered should not be used in brooders unless sterilized. HOW??? Microwave??? Chloroxing is questionable. Molds and fungi are always present in all peat moss, bought or gathered. Your birds will breathe the mold and may develop pneumonia or generalized infections. Only peat moss that is labeled for use with poultry should be used.I am of the opinion that all peat moss cannot be created equal.
IMO, normal garden peat in bales often is old and full of molds. AVOID!
I use sphagnum peat which I collect off of old rocks and stumps, shredded for the hen nests but in small amounts. Adult chickens free ranging already have been ingesting molds and fungi so sundried sphagnum in a solar over should be no issue.
As floor bedding it ,should be fine, if anything the Microbial community it adds may be an added bonus. The acidic PH of it may also be a benefit as well as the added absorbency.
One caution about very young chicks, ingestion and or inhaling the dust may have problems, but the same can be said for unstrained wood chips/bedding.
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