Aspen Shavings?

[desertgirl]

Just went by the local store to pick up pine shavings, and the guy said that aspen shavings were actually better for birds-no aromatic oils that can cause repiratory and skin irritation (like pine and cedar). Anyone use aspen shavings, and if so-what are your thoughts?

 

[b.hromada]

I have used them before, and I really like it. I too, have been told it is even better than pine. I say, go for it.

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

We tried them once, they were great. IMHO they were more absorbent than pine. The down side was they cost almost twice as much.

 

[finallychickens]

I have used aspen with great success. No problems at all. I think the pine smells nicer though if you have the chicks in the house. Just don't use cedar. Diane

 

[desertgirl]

Great news, since I was talked into buying a huge bag of the stuff!

(But,as always I wouldn't think of making a move without consulting this site!!!!)

Thanks!

 

[Dawn419]

I'm using Aspen shaving for the first time since the last bag of "Pine" shavings that I got from TSC has alot of cedar in it also but it wasn't marked on the white plastic bag.

Luckily it was for our older birds' coop.

I like it so far but I'm with finallychickens, I personally like the smell of the pine better.


Dawn

 

[desertgirl]

Yeah, I do too.

Has anyone else heard that they might be bad for birds though?

 

[SarahFair]

My boyfriend is in the logging business and they do alot of chipping. The chips they sell to chicken farms ask for pine...no hardwood.
Why cant you use hardwood?

 

[crazyhen]

Pine does smell nicer but down in the shavings the pine smell is so heavy that it will burn your eyes. Try it at chick level. I don't like the smell of the aspen so I pour it into a big paper box and let it air out some before using it. Jean

 

[mamaKate]

I've been having symptoms that I thought were an allergic reaction to my chicks (brooding in my bedroom). I saw on another thread that it might be a reaction to the pine shavings. The problems did start when I took them off the paper towels and added the shavings. I bought aspen today and I'm going to clean out the cage tomorrow and switch. We'll see.