Cedar chips in yard?

[Jkioneil]

I know cedar shouldn't be used in bedding but what about my playground and flower beds? I have to put down playground chips for my daycare as is the state requirement and they want me to use 6" of cedar chips and is the whole perimeter of my yard. My chickens aren't in it but next to it and are allowed to freely range the backyard on the weekends. Will they be okay?

 

[PD-Riverman]

I know cedar shouldn't be used in bedding but what about my playground and flower beds? I have to put down playground chips for my daycare as is the state requirement and they want me to use 6" of cedar chips and is the whole perimeter of my yard. My chickens aren't in it but next to it and are allowed to freely range the backyard on the weekends. Will they be okay?

I think the cedar chip thing is meant more for chicks bedding---because they eat some of it in the brooder, shoot some feel pine flake bedding is bad for the chicks-----I use a lot of that and have never had a problem(that reminded me I got chicks hatching last night and today(about 70+ eggs)---gotta go get the brooder ready---LOL). I personally do not see it as a Problem. You might get different opinions??

 

[Dayrel]

I don't think it will be a problem. The reason cedar isn't recommended is because of the aromatic oils. Continuous/concentrated exposure isn't good for the respiratory system. As long as they aren't nesting in it, have it in their coop, on the floor of their run, and the structure isn't immediately surrounded by it, they should be okay. The open air will waft the vast majority of the offending chemicals away.

Also, since you won't be changing the chips around your border out routinely, they will loose their odor and become less dangerous over time. If you want to be more careful, I'd fence off the chipped area and limit your chickens ranging.