How about sawdust for chicken coop?

[MIChickandGuinea]

We like small wood shavings in our coop MUCH more than larger wood shavings, and infinitely more than hay. We happen to have a lot of sawdust from my dad's wood shop dust collecting devices. I am wondering if sawdust would be even better for absorbency and odor control than wood chips... AND wondering if it would be safe for the birds' respiratory systems and all. Does anyone know about this?

 

[Mace Gill]

Having been a wood worker for many years with an inadequate dust collection system, I'd say DON'T DO IT. yes, the absorbency would be there, but the fine particles fro the dust would do a bad number on their respiratory. I know it didn't do too good on mine! Smallest I would even consider might be the chips from chainsawing. Even the shreds from a table saw would be too fine, I'd say. Once you talk about all the fine dust in the collection system from the sanders and such, that's even worse.

The saw dust, once wet, really hold moisture, I would think to mix it into your compost. If your outside chicken run is muddy after a rain, maybe you could spread a little around the run then ... once wet, it would stay put and mix with the soil (don't over do it)

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

Having been a wood worker for many years with an inadequate dust collection system, I'd say DON'T DO IT. yes, the absorbency would be there, but the fine particles fro the dust would do a bad number on their respiratory. I know it didn't do too good on mine! Smallest I would even consider might be the chips from chainsawing. Even the shreds from a table saw would be too fine, I'd say. Once you talk about all the fine dust in the collection system from the sanders and such, that's even worse.

The saw dust, once wet, really hold moisture, I would think to mix it into your compost. If your outside chicken run is muddy after a rain, maybe you could spread a little around the run then ... once wet, it would stay put and mix with the soil (don't over do it)

I was afraid this would be the answer - most critters have trouble with fine dust in their bedding. But I thought I'd check, since we have so much of it, and it's so handy for moisture-absorbing jobs around the farm - for hanging meat animals, changing oil, etc. Oh, well. It is much more important to keep my little friends safe and healthy than to find a new use for sawdust Thanks for your input.