cedar wood chips yea or nay?

[Cargo]

With lots of ventilation: Yay (only if I had a bunch laying around)

In winter with just enough ventilation: Nay

Aromatic cedar can be a bit rough on small animals in confined spaces.

 

[Where The Wild Things Are]

Okay, so I stopped by our feed store on my way home from work and bought a bale of pine shavings. Went out and braved the 11 degree temps and scooped up and swept out all the cedar bedding. I sprinkled it out in the run, it's pretty course (compared to the pine fluff) so it will help with mud once it starts warming up and melts off some of our snow. The girls were roosting and not thrilled about my intrusion. I topped it all off with some dry maple leaves, changed their water, cleaned the poop hammock...and voilà! Everyone (including myself) have settled down for another cold winter night. Crisis averted...I hope.

 

[Mrs White]

I've only ever used cedar chips and never had a problem. That being said my brooder boxes are either open on the side or the top so there is plenty of air in the boxes. I've used them in my coop as well and never had any issues there either. But the coop is very open as well. I've never lost a chicken to respiratory issues in the few 4 years I have had chickens. Just predators evil infernal raccoons know to stay away these days...