Cedar Shavings; Beating a dead horse?

[NewChcikenmommy!]

I use cedar shavings in my coop. it is well ventilated and they are only in there at night as well as to lay. only 2 of my 6 are of age to lay anyhow but so far no issues..and it smells nice!
I am marking this thread as I'd like to know as well the basis behind these theories..

 

[ivan3]

Links to research? Try the big `cedar' thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=99738&p=1

 

[PegramPoultryProprietor]

Yes, I've been through that one and have googled and binged till I'm google eyed and bing brained. I'm not doubting there is some sure evidence of possible problems and I am going to stop using it. I never have used it in confined spaces and the pens are open and well venilated. It's only recently that I started using it as I have been hatching QUITE a few more chicks and I really need to continue using my basement as a hatchery. I think I am leaning toward chopped wheat straw in the young bird cages. I already use it in the coop and nest boxes; it mats up easy but it composts well. I wasn't too worried about composting litter from the indoor cages due to the fact it has medicated feed in it; I just burn it with the cardboard bases I use. Wheat straw goes for abot $5.00 a bale here and I can rent a chopper to do a few bales at a time. I think the reason there haven't been any long term or large scale studies is that commercial producers have ruled out cedar due to it's availability and cost before they even got to the health aspects. There are several studies on just about every other bedding currently used. Like most of us, I was looking for some specifics rather than hearsay. It is important to me to produce healthy chicks that will provide myself and others with a healthy lifespan. Thank you.

 

[Judy]

I think you hit the nail on the head, about research not being done because the commercials aren't interested. Applies to lots of subjects here, not just cedar shavings. Heck, we worm with cattle and goat meds. You read what you can find, and sometimes take your best guess, or rely on anecdotal evidence more than you'd like to.

I've read before of young chicks dying when kept so they were breathing a lot of cedar fumes. We had some leftover cedar shavings and I've been using them in my coop (of adult chickens at present) but they are scantily scattered over poop and pine shavings, and the coop is so well ventilated it's in effect a three sided coop, because of my climate. Some cedar is much more aromatic than others, too. I use pine shavings for the most part, but if a bag is really aromatic, I'm careful how I use even that.