Can we start in winter in Upstate NY?

[CountryHillTopHomeschool]

We use wood stove pellets for burning in our pellet stove, and they are hardwood, not pine, and we obtain them from Agway. Can also get them from fireplace stores, tractor supply stores, sometimes Sam's Club, etc. I think they must be available as a pine product as well, but the hardwood pellets are "premium". Has anyone used HARDWOOD rather than pine pellets successfully as bedding for chicks or in the coop?