Eucalyptus (I think not but maybeeeee)? As chipped bedding.

[Chickenman MAN]

We have a MASSIVE eucalyptus tree that is going to have a tonne chopped off of it. The tree surgeons will chip it. I thought eucalyptus leaves were toxic to anything but koalas? Can I use it?

 

[chix4lyfe]

I'm not sure but I found this other thread from a while ago maybe this will help.

 

[Chickenman MAN]

Hmm thanks...not conclusive though and I don't want to hurt my chooks

 

[chix4lyfe]

Hmm thanks...not conclusive though and I don't want to hurt my chooks

yeah that's the best I could find but I wouldn't risk it if it were my chickens.

 

[CalBickieMomma]

Maybe you could just use the leaves? Our property has eucs in the back, and the neighbors behind us and next to us have raised American game chickens since my family moved here 30+ years ago. Maybe don’t use the wood chips, but we always used the new growth leaves (with the white dust on them) to deter insects like fleas (my dad always put them in the dogs’ sleeping area).
Also, when the back pasture area gets mowed (some sort of purple grass that looks like very thin straw when cut and dried out) I gather up the ‘straw’ and add cuttings of lavender flowers, rosemary, mint, citrus leaves, and new eucalyptus leaves to make a fragrant nesting material for the laying boxes. So far, no issues and it smells soooo good.

 

[Chickenman MAN]

Maybe you could just use the leaves? Our property has eucs in the back, and the neighbors behind us and next to us have raised American game chickens since my family moved here 30+ years ago. Maybe don’t use the wood chips, but we always used the new growth leaves (with the white dust on them) to deter insects like fleas (my dad always put them in the dogs’ sleeping area).
Also, when the back pasture area gets mowed (some sort of purple grass that looks like very thin straw when cut and dried out) I gather up the ‘straw’ and add cuttings of lavender flowers, rosemary, mint, citrus leaves, and new eucalyptus leaves to make a fragrant nesting material for the laying boxes. So far, no issues and it smells soooo good.

Wait what... I thought the leaves were the toxic bit? Huh...will read into it

 

[CalBickieMomma]

Wait what... I thought the leaves were the toxic bit? Huh...will read into it

I dunno. The leaves I use are the new growth, and I’ve never seen my chickens eat them. Maybe if they ingest too much eucalyptus oil it could harm them ...? Now I wanna look into it too .

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would be cautious with eucalyptus because it's super aromatic, moreso than almost any tree I can think of. And the oils are toxic to mammals at least.

 

[Pullet Press]

I would be cautious with eucalyptus because it's super aromatic, moreso than almost any tree I can think of. And the oils are toxic to mammals at least.

I'd probably be super wary of anything that could be *possibly* harmful to any critter.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'd probably be super wary of anything that could be *possibly* harmful to any critter.

Well I use some cedar in my set up (which most people caution against), but I remember distinctly how pungent the eucalyptus windbreaks were in my childhood neighborhood. Blows cedar right out of the water.