I hate pine shavings!

@debid I thinks it's great to get free bedding. FWIW- you may want to read this thread in it's entirety before using fresh chips - long thread, but worth a read and something to consider. Not saying it won't happen in your situation, but fresh chips can mold quickly.https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dying-chickens.1129854/

The aspergillus strain responsible for the sad situation in the linked thread can grow on any organic material and is naturally present in the environment. If you garden at all, you've probably been exposed to it but only a few folks will actually get sick from it (mostly elderly and immunocompromised individuals). And, as sad as it is that it happened, it could have happened with leaves or grass clippings or straw or shavings... or even the chickens visiting the compost pile. Decaying organics provide habitat for various molds and fungi, that's how it works.

Nevertheless, I wanted dry material so chose to use the edges rather than digging into the composting center and then only used a shallow layer to see how it performs as a litter.
 
A member of my local thread uses sand in her coop. She says poop is easy to remove from the sand as it clumps. I might try it myself. I'm losing that loving feeling for pine shavings myself.
 
What is the difference between hay and straw? If I get baked from local farmers how do I tell the difference.
Straw is the waste product after a wheat harvest. It's dry and brown hollow stems. Hay is green grasses cut then dried so it retains nutrients. It's feed for ruminants.
 
The aspergillus strain responsible for the sad situation in the linked thread can grow on any organic material and is naturally present in the environment. If you garden at all, you've probably been exposed to it but only a few folks will actually get sick from it (mostly elderly and immunocompromised individuals). And, as sad as it is that it happened, it could have happened with leaves or grass clippings or straw or shavings... or even the chickens visiting the compost pile. Decaying organics provide habitat for various molds and fungi, that's how it works.

Nevertheless, I wanted dry material so chose to use the edges rather than digging into the composting center and then only used a shallow layer to see how it performs as a litter.
Yep, you are correct:) it does happen naturally. Unfortunately, some people are not aware that molds/fungus can affect the respiratory system in humans and animals. It was just a reminder to everyone, that this can happen if care is not taken.
 
Yep, you are correct:) it does happen naturally. Unfortunately, some people are not aware that molds/fungus can affect the respiratory system in humans and animals. It was just a reminder to everyone, that this can happen if care is not taken.
FWIW, I know of someone who was hospitalized for an e coli infection of the lungs because they thought cleaning a coop with a leaf blower was a terrific time saver. It's never a good idea to inhale particulates.
 
Straw is the waste product after a wheat harvest. It's dry and brown hollow stems. Hay is green grasses cut then dried so it retains nutrients. It's feed for ruminants.
Thank you, I checked my local Craig's list and seems like a lot of hay for sale. I'll have to ask around where I can get straw.
 

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