Can I use cedar chips on my birds?

[janinepeters]

Mine had mites once before and I dusted their buts with something I got from the feed store, and cleaned out the nestboxes. Problem solved.

I've been through the cedar debate in the past with reference to bluebird nest boxes made of cedar. Basically I agree with RTBill, that if the coop is well ventilated and the shavings are oldish and not terribly fragrant, there is a very low chance that the birds will be harmed. However, in such a situation with good ventilation and old shavings that are not very smelly, they might not be very toxic to the bugs, either.

Best bet is to keep nestboxes impeccably clean. To keep parasites down, I keep the entire coop very clean, for that matter, although I know this goes against the idea of deep litter management. I think clean is healthier overall, though.

 

[magicpigeon]

I'm planning on using them outside where my birds dustbathe. They don't sleep in the coop at night (They prefer a small tree next to the coop

) but go to this area a lot, so I'm thinking it will either discourage them from dustbathing on the walkway or get rid of any lice

 

[Jajika]

Hi all:

I use straw in the coops and cedar chips outside when the yard gets wet and smelly. And, boy does it stink. Mostly from the food that gets
spilled during the day. The winter is the worst.

I've haven't ever seen any problems with the cedar and it sure helps with the odor.

Now, this could be because I only use it outside which is where the girls are all day. They only use the coop to sleep--well, some of them do.

So, possibly if there is a problem with cedar it may only beed in close contact?

 

[janinepeters]

I think it's the cedar fumes that cause the problem, so it's a problem only in closed spaces, where ventilation is poor. Cedar chips outdoors should not be a problem.

Do people really have chickens roosting outside at night, without losing them to predators? Amazing. Mine would be snatched within a couple of days, I am sure.

 

[magicpigeon]

Quote:
Trust me, living in the middle of the City of Sydney does a lot to reduce predators. Right now my biggest concern is my little sis

 

[mrmooples]

I had a mite infestation in all 3 of my coops this summer/fall

I ended up using an old bag of cedar shavings my dh accidently bought when we first got chickens. I used it only in the nest boxes and mixed it in w/pine as well. I have not had any probs, but my coops are well ventilated and the shavings were quite old, so the smell wasn't as strong. I have to say, I have not had any additional probs w/insects after a dosing of Sevin dust, DE and cedar shavings. Just my $.02

How do you use the seven dust?

 

[mrmooples]

I had a mite infestation in all 3 of my coops this summer/fall

I ended up using an old bag of cedar shavings my dh accidently bought when we first got chickens. I used it only in the nest boxes and mixed it in w/pine as well. I have not had any probs, but my coops are well ventilated and the shavings were quite old, so the smell wasn't as strong. I have to say, I have not had any additional probs w/insects after a dosing of Sevin dust, DE and cedar shavings. Just my $.02

 

[mrmooples]

How do you use the seven dust?