Cedar & Chickens

[DobieLover]

Ought to be OK, from what everybody's saying.

In addition to what @rosemarythyme already wrote, your piece is going to be outdoors so there is no chance for the aromatics to build up. They will simply dissipate as the piece continues to off-gas. That is why it smelled so strongly when you first opened the box. The aromatics were trapped inside the container.

I don't have any cedar lumber but would not hesitate to use an aged piece outdoors should the desire arise.

 

[perkolator]

My coop setup is partially underneath a cedar tree which the chickens scratch around underneath it daily, the coop itself is cladded with cedar fence boards, and I've used fresh cedar arborist mulch in their runs. I think you're good.

 

[Sic]

I have western red cedar and Alaskan yellow cedar inside my coop, as well as exterior sided with Alaskan yellow cedar, and Alaskan yellow cedar wood and shavings in my run.. absolutely no issues. Cedar is naturally rot resistant, i.e resists water damage, mold, mildew, fungus and insects etc

 

[cundare]

Resolution: The birds seem to be keeping their distance from the table, but don't display any indication of being affected by the presence of cedar. Maybe they're just wary of new things added to their cage -- it's only been about 24 hours -- or perhaps they don't like the smell. We can't smell anything at this point, but maybe they can.

Overall, though, I think this will be a success. Thanks again to everybody who contributed to this conversation.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Resolution: The birds seem to be keeping their distance from the table, but don't display any indication of being affected by the presence of cedar. Maybe they're just wary of new things added to their cage -- it's only been about 24 hours

New things are scary. Plus, chickens don't always appreciate what we give them. I bought a dog tent for the birds to huddle under during rain, but most of them still stuff themselves into the brooder with their rear ends spilling out.