cedar vs pine

[Blondegrannie]

can you use cedar shavings instead of pine shavings in the brooder box?

 

[Nupe]

From what I've heard, cedar gives off toxic fumes.

 

[RouttyChicks]

I use the large pine shavings. It has been sifted to remove the dust etc.
It is very absorbant and dries quickly if it gets wet.
I too have heard that the ceder is toxic but some say it is not and use it successfully.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi !
No , not cedar. I is toxic to baby chicks. You want hardwood shavings. It's the white bale at Tractor Supply. The yellow bale is softwood shavings. How to tell the difference? Hardwood smells like fresh dry sawdust ( kiln dried lumber) when you smell it Softwood smells like turpentine when you smell it.
Best Success,
Karen in western PA

 

[raisedinthestic]

I've never used Cedar as I have also heard it gives off toxic fumes. I have always used large pine shavings with no troubles at all. I clean out soiled shavings at last every other day but try to do so everyday.
My neighbor down the road used newspaper with her chicks and all turned out okay but I would not recommend using it as it becomes slippery when wet.

 

[Blondegrannie]

can you use cedar shavings instead of pine shavings in the brooder box?

Thanks to all for your responses. I cleaned out the cedar shavings and will get hardwood shavings today.