Cedar Coop????

[chickencoop789]

I have heard that cedar is poisonous to chickens. Im thinking about buying a cedar coop but Im worried it might harm my hens! Should I buy it??????

 

[Judy]

The fumes from certain cedars can be irritating to the respiratory tract, but then, this is also true of pine and similar woods. On the other hand, there are people who have used part cedar shavings in their coops long term. I would do it if I could smell the coop and could not smell cedar. I wouldn't mail order a new one.

 

[MeringueHasAHat]

My local feed store advised me against cedar-anything, but I'm not an expert.


Best wishes!

 

[Lazarus718]

There is nothing wrong with buying a coop made out of cedar boards. People have kept their chickens in cedar coops for a long, long time. The concern is mostly surrounding the use of cedar shavings as a litter material because the fine particles that are released into the air by the shavings irritate the chickens sensitive respiratory system. If you're buying the cedar boards because you won't have to weather treat them that's a whole 'nother controversy that deserves its own thread. They just don't make a tree the way they used to, either that or we just chop too many of the darn things down. Cedar is still a good pest deterrent though and it looks good.

 

[lukieseggs]

i know of a few people that have used cedar coops for years with no problems from their birds.