Bedding question

[kbarrett]

Can anyone tell me if black walnut sawdust will pose a problem? I'm expecting an order from Ideal on the 9th, I have my brooder ready and am using pine shavings after the paper towels and will continue to do so until they graduate to the coop. A friend of mine got a load of sawdust for his horses and after it was loaded he was told they had sawed some black walnut that day and can't use it as it's toxic to horses. Will it cause any problems for 8-9 week old chicks? I know you can't use cedar but haven't read anything on other types of wood other than pine is the best.

 

[redoak]

Yes it would be a problem, the black walnut sawdust would be too small a particle size and juglone a toxic compound is found in the wood, roots, leaves.