Did I waste my money?

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I think cedar is not good for chicks in a brooder. For adults in an outdoor run, I would not rake it up if it were mine. We have lots of Alligator Juniper, a lot like cedar and all the droppings from those trees, leaves & trimmings, make great chicken run material. Next batch, just get the pine.

I am going to go out today and get pine to put over it. I only went with a light layer of the cedar.

 

[JDN]

They'll turn it into dirt soon enough. I've heard the big concern is in a brooder or confined coop.

Look, chickens live half feral in many US cities. Don't get anxious about killing/poisoning them.

Regarding poison plants, they're not likely to eat them unless they're starving. I have wisteria growing down one side of the run, supposedly toxic. None of it looks to have been eaten and no dead birds...

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

They'll turn it into dirt soon enough. I've heard the big concern is in a brooder or confined coop.

Look, chickens live half feral in many US cities. Don't get anxious about killing/poisoning them.

Regarding poison plants, they're not likely to eat them unless they're starving. I have wisteria growing down one side of the run, supposedly toxic. None of it looks to have been eaten and no dead birds...

Thanks! I noticed after opening the first bag it is not as course like I thought it was going to be, (chunky) my first thought was that it was going to break down fast for what I wanted. Yes I have read lots of things that said they won't eat poisonous plants too. My run (besides a sand box and branches) is pretty boring, so I wanted to give them things to lay under.

 

[Parront]

I am going to go out today and get pine to put over it. I only went with a light layer of the cedar.

I kind of like the idea of some cedar in the outdoor mix, it does smell good and it will last a long time. Chicken feet are pretty tough, scratching some cedar won't hurt them. You need to check your birds over once a week or so anyway, to keep on top of their health. Just hold them & feel their breast bone, check the vent, inspect feathers for bugs and look at their feet. Thin or light birds, birds with lice, swollen eyes or feet, are what you want to find before things go down hill! You sound like a great chicken owner, thinking about your birds health!

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I kind of like the idea of some cedar in the outdoor mix, it does smell good and it will last a long time. Chicken feet are pretty tough, scratching some cedar won't hurt them. You need to check your birds over once a week or so anyway, to keep on top of their health. Just hold them & feel their breast bone, check the vent, inspect feathers for bugs and look at their feet. Thin or light birds, birds with lice, swollen eyes or feet, are what you want to find before things go down hill! You sound like a great chicken owner, thinking about your birds health!

Great!!! We spend a lot of time with our girls and like pretty much everyone on here they are my babies which is why I spent so much to try make them happy.

 

[TooCheep]

Thanks! I noticed after opening the first bag it is not as course like I thought it was going to be, (chunky) my first thought was that it was going to break down fast for what I wanted. Yes I have read lots of things that said they won't eat poisonous plants too. My run (besides a sand box and branches) is pretty boring, so I wanted to give them things to lay under.

Plants- I don't know all the details of your run area, but with shavings for the ground, I suspect there isn't much plant life in there. That means that any plants put in there will be subject to far more abuse and if they are toxic, then they are dangerous. An established shrub in the run would likely survive and be nice for the birds, but new plants would need to be protected until they were a decent size.

Run- You might want to consider putting more things in the run to keep them entertained. Stumps that they can hop up on, a mirror that they can look at, a ball that drops pellets/treats and a swing are some options. I have no research behind this, but I believe that more entertained/occupied birds pick on lower-ranking members less and reduce stress in the flock. Again, without many ground plants (grass/clover/etc), they will have less to occupy them "naturally".

 

[Aunt Angus]

I don't know about your specific plants, but grasses are usually ok. I have a huge jasmine bush in my yard. I inherited it with the house. I didn't realize that true jasmine is toxic to chickens until well after I got chickens. But they don't eat it. They will dig around it, climb through it, etc. But they stop short of eating it.

Mind you, my jasmine bush isn't in the run. Whatever you plant there will be destroyed by your buddies. I like what @TooCheep suggests, and I have seen a lot of BYCers who plant around the run. I've also seen people plant in the run and put "cages" of deer netting around the plants. In both cases, the birds can still eat the plants by pecking at the leaves they can reach, but not uproot the whole thing.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Plants- I don't know all the details of your run area, but with shavings for the ground, I suspect there isn't much plant life in there. That means that any plants put in there will be subject to far more abuse and if they are toxic, then they are dangerous. An established shrub in the run would likely survive and be nice for the birds, but new plants would need to be protected until they were a decent size.

Run- You might want to consider putting more things in the run to keep them entertained. Stumps that they can hop up on, a mirror that they can look at, a ball that drops pellets/treats and a swing are some options. I have no research behind this, but I believe that more entertained/occupied birds pick on lower-ranking members less and reduce stress in the flock. Again, without many ground plants (grass/clover/etc), they will have less to occupy them "naturally".

I plan to put a decent rock/Boulder in there today. My mom had a tree cut down so stumps are in the works. They have two sections 10x10 grass/sunny side and 10x10 covered mulch side. I am picking up the treat balls (they were in the plans) and I can't do the swing yet as the covering over the one side is temporary till permanent roof goes on.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I don't know about your specific plants, but grasses are usually ok. I have a huge jasmine bush in my yard. I inherited it with the house. I didn't realize that true jasmine is toxic to chickens until well after I got chickens. But they don't eat it. They will dig around it, climb through it, etc. But they stop short of eating it.

Mind you, my jasmine bush isn't in the run. Whatever you plant there will be destroyed by your buddies. I like what @TooCheep suggests, and I have seen a lot of BYCers who plant around the run. I've also seen people plant in the run and put "cages" of deer netting around the plants. In both cases, the birds can still eat the plants by pecking at the leaves they can reach, but not uproot the whole thing.

Great! I was thinking more of a shrubby type plant or tree type but don't want anything that is going to get big. Googling is hurting my head and getting me no where.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Great! I was thinking more of a shrubby type plant or tree type but don't want anything that is going to get big. Googling is hurting my head and getting me no where.

TRUTH.