Cedar wood chips?

[happyhens]

Why can't they be used in a well ventilated coop?

 

[stilwellchick]

Chickens and chicks are close to ground so the cedar is being breathed in more and the cedar is bad for the respiratory system.

 

[kstaven]

Some do use them without issue but it is a risk for sure. There is also a difference between kiln dried and raw chips. More active oils which are an irritant and toxic to ingest. So with raw chips, chickens browsing and scratching may very well have issues from ingesting a toxic substance.