Beding

[ccyardbird]

I know pine shavings are the common bedding material but what about cedar shavings would that help with insects?

 

[Ridgerunner]

It’s recommended you do not use cedar shavings. Cedar gives off a gas that keeps insects away. I don’t know if cedar actually kills insects or just repels them, but that’s why chests that store woolen clothes and such are often made of cedar, it protects against moths.

Chickens, like most birds, have fairly sensitive respiratory systems. That’s why birds, usually canaries, are used in mines and such as an early warning system for bad air. The concern is that the amount of gas given off by cedar shavings would harm the chickens. Using cedar wood for building your coop is OK as long as it is pretty well ventilated, so don’t build an enclosed nest from cedar but use it for the main coop. The shavings are cut into such small pieces they have a lot of surface area so they give of a lot of fumes. A solid piece of wood does not give off as much fumes.

I have not heard of any chickens actually dying because of cedar shavings so maybe they are not as bad as some people fear, but personally I would not use them. I certainly would not use them in an enclosed space with poor ventilation.