corn cob litter?

[blooo]

I have been using corn cob litter inside my coop, and it seems to be working fine. The package says it's for small animals and birds, and that it's "highly absorbent and virtually dust-free." I just started sprinkling it with food grade DE to do the deep litter method.

I haven't seen corn cob litter suggested for coops on this forum or any of my chicken books. Anyone know of any reason I shouldn't use it?

thanks!

 

[Bird Hearder]

My wife (lilbizzy) uses it for our Parrots. I think they use the same stuff in the big Poultry Houses around here.

 

[ChickenToes]

I've never seen corn cob litter, so I don't know anything about it, but my chickens eat regular corn cobs right down to nothing.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I don't use corn cob litter as bedding for any of our indoor or outdoor pets. It has more of a tendency to grow mold on it when wet, than other litters do. Aspergillus is of particular concern, as it causes a respiratory disease in parrots that can kill them and is very difficult to treat. For me, it's just not worth the added health risks, when there are other alternatives available.

 

[Davaroo]

It has been used for decades, especially in the commercial business. It is not perfect, as it isnt as absorbent as others and if what WW says is correct, it harbors mold.

But as a litter material alone, it will do if you keep up with it and change out often.

 

[MsBentleyboy]

I read that it IS recommended for babies so that they can walk around without hurting their legs. I don't know if I can get it in my area but would like to purchase some if not too expensive to ship.

 

[PAChickenChick]

Ok...humor the stupid please...lol
I'm picturing whole corn cobs thrown on the floor as litter....
I KNOW that can't be right...so what...is it like a corn cob sliced into coins?? and then that is put down on the floor?

Good thing there isn't a way to transfer my mental picture on to the computer...hahahaha

 

[Sylvie]

I was looking at corn cob litter. They were crushed.
I decided against it because the pine shavings were much cheaper in my non corn growing area. Cobs were $12 for same size of shavings which were $6.

 

[MsBentleyboy]

Do you get pine shavings from a local store? I've tried a few of my local feed stores and they don't carry this. I know shipping cost would be more than it was worth to switch to this from hay which I'm using now. It's not recommended to use hay w/ baby chicks and I have 7 babies coming next week. Ughh!

 

[blooo]

the corn cobs are chipped into pieces about 1/8" to 3/16" in diameter. my friend with chickens recommended this when i first got my babies. i got (2) 50 lb bags and am still working through them. i'll check the prices on pine shavings, and probably switch once i'm done with these bags.

though possibly corn cobs are more environmentally friendly, as it's using a waste product of corn? though possibly the pine shavings also come from a waste product of harvesting pine trees for wood ...