Aspen shavings OK for ch? Some say yes some say no.. really confused!

[chickpip]

Are Aspen shavings OK for brooder bedding for 4&5 day olds? We got the bedding at the pet store...

 

[muddypuddles]

no, aspen bedding is bad for chickens. its bad for their lungs. use pine bedding.

 

[chickpip]

Quote:
Okay, Thank-you!

 

[chickpip]

The chicks were on Aspen Shavings for about 25minutes.. are they OK? We removed them.. back onto paper towels for now. I'm all worried now!!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Aspen is a GOOD bedding for chicks. It's even better than pine. CEDAR is the one that is bad.

 

[bigstack]

All I know is to avoid cedar at all cost!!!! It will destroy the respratory system in the baby chicks. Basically its like acid. The fumes and oils will irritate the lungs and throat, causing pneumonia! Thus killing all the chicks.

The chicks in question should be fine even if the aspen is bad, but i honestly don't know! Such a short time even on cedar should not cause any harm. Only if left for prolonged periods of time with the heat and little ventilation, the fumes build up and cause illness.

Good luck and God Bless!

added: I do NOT suggest EVER using cedar for chicks!!! even if for only a short time!!!

 

[MN Chicken]

We use Aspen. The pieces are bigger, which I like over pine because they don't try to eat it and it doesn't fly as far when they are scratching away. I thought CEDAR was the toxic wood.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I'm not sure how to reassure you that aspen is safe. You can try doing a search on the forums or you can do a google search on aspen. There is a lot of information on the internet about wood litter for small animals and the effect of the fumes on their livers. I've had litter trained house rabbits, which is why I've read a lot about it. The small animal information comes from studies, but I think the information on chicks is mainly annecdotal.

 

[chickpip]

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Yeah, We will probably put it back in with them. Seems bigger than pine! Thanks

 

[txchickie]

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Yes!! This!