Corn Cob Bedding?

[Aquatic_blue]

I've been skimming through some threads and there was one I found about cedarwood being terrible for chickens and animals in general. I feel bad using it once in a smaller coop, but we didn't like it because how thick and rough the shavings were anyway and only used one large bag of it. We use pine, but I've recently heard that wasn't great, either, but better than cedar. We mainly use pine and have been for about a year, but I don't care for that California Prop 65 warning or whatever on the bag and my husband doesn't deal with the cleaning because it bothers his breathing - understandable. I've come across like 40lbs of corn cob horse bedding on TSC's website for like $10. Doesn't sound bad, but is it suitable for chickens? Does it help keep odors down and such? Considering making a switch. I looked into Aspen as well, but it is a bit more expensive (not too bad with 4 chickens, but later if we get quite a few more, the cost may add up).

 

[cavemanrich]

I have never used the corn-cob bedding, but heard of pigeon keepers that have.
It is supposed to be a premium product, according to what I read from those posts.
I personally use hay as bedding in my coop. Have used it always, (over 20 years) and do like it. I prefer it to straw, since it is eatable as well. Straw has about zero nutrition. I use Alfalfa, or Timothy Hay. It is just about $2 more per bale VS straw. Not a budget buster by no means. I have read about peeps using wood pellets, as bedding. It's intended purpose is horse stall bedding. I got a few bags of it, to use as cat litter. Just have not got around to switching, because my supply of clay type kitty litter is still not depleted.
Most peeps that use pine shavings have no adverse issues with it. I have used it in the past when ran out of hay. Always avoided cedar shavings, but there is a thread here on BYC that has different opinions about cedar as well. The Western cedar, which is not the HEAVY AROMATIC TYPE, was used by a number of chicken keepers with no ill affects. I can find that thread if you so desire. It may take me a while since last posting there was some time ago.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Aquatic_blue]

I have never used the corn-cob bedding, but heard of pigeon keepers that have.
It is supposed to be a premium product, according to what I read from those posts.
I personally use hay as bedding in my coop. Have used it always, (over 20 years) and do like it. I prefer it to straw, since it is eatable as well. Straw has about zero nutrition. I use Alfalfa, or Timothy Hay. It is just about $2 more per bale VS straw. Not a budget buster by no means. I have read about peeps using wood pellets, as bedding. It's intended purpose is horse stall bedding. I got a few bags of it, to use as cat litter. Just have not got around to switching, because my supply of clay type kitty litter is still not depleted.
Most peeps that use pine shavings have no adverse issues with it. I have used it in the past when ran out of hay. Always avoided cedar shavings, but there is a thread here on BYC that has different opinions about cedar as well. The Western cedar, which is not the HEAVY AROMATIC TYPE, was used by a number of chicken keepers with no ill affects. I can find that thread if you so desire. It may take me a while since last posting there was some time ago.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

No worries about finding that thread, I believe it as I can imagine the odors is one of the key problems with it and respiratory distress in chickens. I didn't care for the smell when I tried to use it so I won't use it again either way.

I would consider hay as it seems good, but my husband is allergic - I think it's to the dust and mites on the hay and not the hay itself, but it's not something I want to risk. Thanks for the input, though