CEDAR MULCH IN OUR YARD

[chickadeedoodah]

Hi,
We are new chicken owners and I am wondering about cedar mulch. It will not be in our coop or run, but it is in our kids play area in our yard. We live in the suburbs and have 5 chicks. I have been letting them out in the yard with me standing right there with them for a few minutes on warm days. Yesterday the kids put them in the mulch for about 1 minute (OOPS!!!) They seem to be okay. As they get older I would like to let them out in the yard for a bit each day. What should I do about the cedar mulch--am I going to have to get rid of it?

 

[Josie]

The cedar fumes are what can harm the birds, and in a small enclosed brooder it can be a real problem. I wouldn't worry about it at all in your yard though. There is enough ventilation that your chickens will be fine. In fact we have cedar mulch in our playground area at home, and have never had a problem with the chickens health, though they wander into there often.