cedar- oh no

[ticks]

I just was thinking my chicks are in a wooden box made out of cedar what should i do well is this cedar

 

[bumblebeehillschickenfarm]

i put my chicks in cedar chips all the time and have not had any problems. i have 44 chicks in their right now been there for 3 weeks

 

[ticks]

but is that cedar or not?

 

[me&thegals]

Hi--I'm not a wood expert, but most cedar I have seen has a lot more personality to it--lots of knots, different colors, plus that classic "pinkness" to cedar.

To echo the above message, I have had now 3 batches of chicks on cedar shavings and have never had a problem. My impression is that in very confined spaces it could be an issue with the "smell" and whatever causes it (oil?), but I'll leave that answer to folks more experienced than I.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I wouldn't be too worried because it's open rather than completely enclosed...My two were in a cedar rabbit hutch for a couple of months with no ill effects...
That's a really nice one too, BTW...

 

[ticks]

thank you

 

[patandchickens]

Stick your head in the box. Does it smell really cedar-y, like a cedar chest or the chips they sell to put in bags with sweaters? If yes, I would worry a little tiny bit. If no, and I am almost positive the answer *will* be no, then no problemo.

The deal with cedar is the aromatic oils being irritating to the lungs. If you can't smell aromatic oils then it's not going to be a problem.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Dawn419]

That looks like the Chick-N-Hutch or Rabbit Hutch made by Ware, Mfg. It's not made of cedar and the stain they use gives it the coloration. Totally safe to use as we have their Chick-N-Barn/Yard and use their rabbit hutch as a grow out/breaking broodies cage.

Quote:
You've been fortunate then, other members haven't been so lucky and I never use cedar shavings for chicks, only pine shavings.

Dawn

 

[silkiechicken]

Cedar itself isn't gong to be the biggest problem, but rather the oils from the cedar damage the lining of the respiratory system and make the birds suceptable to secondary infections of the air ways.