Is it ok to use cedar chips for coop litter?

[banniste]

I have been using cedar chips (small animal litter) for our coop since the girls arrived, but I randomly see postings on other sites that it can be toxic for the chickens. I haven't noticed any problems with the girls, they have done well with their laying.

Are there issues I should be aware of? It sure smells nice when I open up the hen house.

Thanks, Nancy

 

[Chicken Woman]

The oils in cedar are very aromatic and I have been told they are toxic to chickens. Most people use pine shavings.

 

[patandchickens]

There are some good reasons to believe it can sometimes be a problem. Indeed some people have had apparent problems with it. Others have not. Probably depends partly on your ventilation. What to do depends on your personal attitude towards risk-tolerance.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[moduckman]

I'm not a scientist or whatever. What I've heard is that thje cedar is rough on chicks. You'll hear all kinds of things, but I will use cedar in the barn because the bugs do not like cedar.

 

[namreknat]

On Ideal Poultries website,under care tips,they say; "Do not use cedar shavings,cedar is toxic to chickens." I have never used any for that reason.

 

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

Cedar shouldn't be used for a number of animals! Yes it smells great. But that strong smell is what gives animals sinus problems and upper respiratory infections!

 

[chicken_angler]

NOOOOO! Dont use cedar chips. They have toxic levels of acids and it will kill a lot of animals or hurt their repiratory system.

Good Luck!

Cody!!

 

[citalk2much]

I would be safe and not use ceder for any animals. Vet has nothing nice to say about it

 

[wilds of pa]

No wonder when i was a kid my hamsters and gerbils and mice never seemed to live to long..After about two years they always seemed to passed on..

Pine shavings

Charlie

 

[Barry]

Deer eat cedars in the winter and seem to thrive on it, cedar keeps moths away but what are the effects on chickens? I don't know.
I have used some cedar shavings and have not seen any harm done. That was before i read that some say it can be harmful. I did notice that they kept pecking at it so it seems they can eat it but the smell can cause problems. I have noticed that the old cedar I used had very little smell compared to freshly cut wood, so that may be another consideration.
We really need more info about the possibility of respiratory problems, like we all know that ammonia causes problems when the concentration rises to a high level but there is always ammonia being generated in a coop so it must be kept to a safe level.
I wonder it there is a safe level for cedar aromas and what it is.