Is cedar actually bad for chickens?

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Hello everyone!

I know I am gonna get a lot of slack from this, but I bought a pre-fab coop for my 12 Welsummer pullets, cause I just don’t have time to build my own. It was the best one I could find, got amazing reviews, but when it got here I realized it was made of cedar! Is cedar actually bad for chickens? This coop was made specifically for chickens, so I am just a little confused. Thanks so much for the help!

 

[NatJ]

People argue it both ways-- scientific studies do show problems in certain conditions, but so do scientific studies of pine and other bedding. Many people have a history of using it without problems.

I would start by sticking your head in the coop and sniffing. If it smells very strongly of cedar (or any other kind of wood), it may be best to let it air for a while before putting chickens in, or paint the inside of the coop to make a barrier between the cedar and the chickens.

Ample ventilation always helps. A piece of cedar wood sitting in an outdoor run is not a problem at all, but a bunch of cedar shavings in an enclosed space are. The more air, and the more frequently that air changes, the less the chickens are exposed to anything that is coming from the cedar.

Prefab coops are often too small, especially if the chickens need to stay inside all winter due to bad weather, so you may want to double-check the size while you're thinking about it. (Usual recommendation: 4 square feet of floor space per chicken in the coop, plus whatever space is needed for feed, water, nests, etc.)

 

[3KillerBs]

There is a difference between the western and eastern types of cedar.

The same aromatic oils that protect cedar from bugs are highly irritating to the lungs and chickens have very delicate respiratory systems.

As mentioned above, the sniff test is a good option.

 

[Happily Retired]

There is a difference between the western and eastern types of cedar.

The same aromatic oils that protect cedar from bugs are highly irritating to the lungs and chickens have very delicate respiratory systems.

As mentioned above, the sniff test is a good option.

Along these lines, we have 26 acres in the Texas Hill Country which is covered in cedar, not the type used for chests, closets etc more of a Christmas tree type. I also have a shredder which reduces the cedar down to a nice mulch. So the Scrooge in me would like to use these shreddings as free coop & run litter. If I were to allow these to bake in the hot Texas sun until the aroma is gone do you think that it would then be suitable for my intended use? It would save me a fortune in purchasing litter.

Best Regards!

 

[3KillerBs]

Along these lines, we have 26 acres in the Texas Hill Country which is covered in cedar, not the type used for chests, closets etc more of a Christmas tree type. I also have a shredder which reduces the cedar down to a nice mulch. So the Scrooge in me would like to use these shreddings as free coop & run litter. If I were to allow these to bake in the hot Texas sun until the aroma is gone do you think that it would then be suitable for my intended use? It would save me a fortune in purchasing litter.

Best Regards!

Sounds like a good plan.

I'm not sure I'd use it in the coop, but out in the run with the free flow of fresh air it ought to be good.

 

[Happily Retired]

Thanks for your input!

Best Regards

 

[InterestingChickens]

In agreement with the above posters. As long as you provide adequate ventalion and use a ceder coop with care it should be fine.

As for using ceder shavings, as long as they are well aged and only used out in the run they will most likely cause no problems.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My brooder (aka my old prefab coop) is 100% cedar, which is the only reason it hasn't disintegrated in all the rain. It's fairly open air compared to most prefabs so it aired out pretty well, and at this point it's so odorless that I have no qualms about raising chicks in it.

We also have cedar chips mixed into our deep litter and inside the coop as the floor substrate, though that's Western red cedar and that also has been well aged before use.

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Thank you everyone so much for your help! I appreciate it so much. I smelled inside, and it didn’t smell to strongly, maybe a faint cedar smell, but not bad at all. Still, I may add more ventilation. Again, thanks so much for your help!

 

[aart]

Still, I may add more ventilation.

If it's a prefab coop, chances are you need more ventilation anyway.
Post pics and we can help with that.