Cedar vs Pine shaving

[Toxic Chicken]

I have asthma and cedar just about kills me.
So I get the don't use cedar on animals
with sensitive respratory systems thing.
I wouldn't use anything with a very strong
fragrance either.

 

[ChickenAl]

There has been enough written on this site that says to keep away from cedar that I decided to use only pine shavings. I add some DE to the shavings to keep the bugs to a minimum. Not that DE dust is all that safe to breathe, but I would not want to have a problem with cedar after so many said not to use it. I guess you will have to see for yourself if you are really settled on using it. Definitely try it in small amounts first to see if it gives your chickens problems.

 

[TinyChickenLady]

I can't tolerate cedar due to allergies. I've also been warned by everyone I talk to not to use cedar because it does release toxic chemicals (it's treated with them) that can cause respiration problems. I haven't tested it on my birds and I have no intention of doing so. I don't want to put them in harms way.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The aromatic nature of eastern red cedar(actually a juniper and not a true cedar) shavings would make it hard on tiny respiratory systems. It would probably be ok in nest boxes but I wouldn't use it as coop bedding.
Not a problem for dogs, they have much larger lungs.

 

[1muttsfan]

Birds are much more sensitive to chemical irritants than other animals are. I also use just a little cedar in my coop, one bag to 5-6 bags of pine, but wouldn't put out in a small confined space like a best box.

BTW, placing a few dried tobacco leaves in the bottom of a nest box - under shavings or straw - is supposed to be good at controlling bugs. Never been able to find any up here, but maybe available where you live.

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
I had never heard of this but it sounds like a good idea i know you can make insecticide by brewing tobacco tea. You should be able to get tobacco leaves from a good cigar store that rolls their own. Also, you can purchase tobacco seed if you are interested in growing your own.

 

[TinyChickenLady]

Quote:
I had never heard of this but it sounds like a good idea i know you can make insecticide by brewing tobacco tea. You should be able to get tobacco leaves from a good cigar store that rolls their own. Also, you can purchase tobacco seed if you are interested in growing your own.

Is that the same as rolling tobacco? The theory makes sense. Might be a good idea to try since I need to update my nesting boxes.

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
I had never heard of this but it sounds like a good idea i know you can make insecticide by brewing tobacco tea. You should be able to get tobacco leaves from a good cigar store that rolls their own. Also, you can purchase tobacco seed if you are interested in growing your own.

Is that the same as rolling tobacco? The theory makes sense. Might be a good idea to try since I need to update my nesting boxes.

I would guess it is the same as the full leaf they use for rolling cigars. I would not want to put cut tobacco leaves as the type that is used for rolling cigarettes because it might be too easy for the chicken's to want to try eating.

 

[chickened]

* Summary of toxicology
1. Effects on Animals: No information was available on the health effects of western red cedar dust on experimental animals.

2. Effects on Humans: Exposure to western red cedar dust can result in the development of rhinitis, dermatitis, and asthma [ACGIH 1991]. Although wood dusts have long been associated with nasal cancer and pulmonary dysfunction, no reports in the available literature specifically describe these conditions in relation to exposure to western red cedar dust. It is believed that the nasal cancer and more severe respiratory effects are associated with exposure to dusts from the hardwoods such as beech, walnut, and oak [ACGIH 1991].


http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/wooddustwesternredcedar/recognition.html


OSHA's guidlines on cedar dust.

 

[Jenski]

My avian vet is dead set against cedar shavings in chicken coops. Now, he is also not crazy about any kind of shavings . . . even the kiln-dried Aspen I use in mine. I prefer Aspen over pine, and I would not use cedar for chickens because of the cedar oils. Aspen is expensive, though.


For my nest boxes, I clean them out thoroughly at least 4x a year (seasonally) when I clean out my coops, and when they are empty I lay a sprinkle of either Prozap Poultry Dust (Pyrethrin) or Sevin (Carbaryl) and a bit of diatomaceous earth before I lay fresh shavings down on top. I use only a tiny amount of these powdered insecticides, and I am careful to rotate them bi-annually so the buggies do not build immunity. Keeping a bit of the insecticide near the nooks and crannies works great.

The other thing that has helped me is caulking all the cracks in my coops. Yes, all of them - - every single nest box, too. Good times. Anyhoo, once it is done there are very few places for tiny mites to live.

Checking my birds at least once a month is the third thing I do to keep tabs on their condition. I pick up each and every one and check their faces, eyes, bottoms of feet, and their little bums.


Hope that info helps. Good luck!