Breaking eggs issue

[rosemarythyme]

"Boxes are padded with cedar chips"

I thought cedar was bad for chickens. Is it just chicks that are vulnerable?

It depends.

I have well aged Western cedar chips mixed in with other chips in my coop and run, no issue as they've lost all their aroma. My brooder is also 100% cedar and my coop has cedar trim. Having lots of ventilation plays a role too.

I would avoid using all cedar, fresh cedar, or Eastern Red cedar (which is highly aromatic) as a general rule.

 

[Happy hen lover]

I've learned on here that hybrids seem to have more reproductive issues.
My hens stopped eating their feed too so I fermented it and now with heat I just wet it with COLD water which they love. Since this heat they haven't been eating much . Good luck they will get back to laying soon I think also.
ps. Mine all fight to lay in one box too!

 

[Mrs. K]

Squirrel Man - Hope you enjoyed Custer, it is really a lovely town. My kids went to school there, we had a house in town, as we ranch so far out.

Mrs K

 

[Squirrel Man]

Still getting one single smashed egg a day, plus 2 or three undamaged ones. I put some extra padding in the box.

BTW, I'm using shaved pine for padding, not cedar as I originally stated.

It's brutally hot outside too, mid 90's but it was like that last summer for a few weeks. They do have a lot of shade.

 

[Happy hen lover]

I use pine shavings as well .

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Pine shaving only!

 

[Happy hen lover]

I use pine shavings as well .

I like the mini flake one.