Is red cedar bedding ok for runs?

[Teresaann24]

I bought 2 big bags of red cedar bedding to add to my runs for my adult chickens to cure my muddy run. I know cedar bedding is bad for brooders or coops but what about outside?

 

[DarkWolf]

I'd spread it in the evening after the birds are put up to give it that night to air.. Then it should be fine after that considering it's outside and the air flowing over it will disperse the aromatics.

 

[Teresaann24]

Ok thank you, I was thinking about letting it air for about 24 hours. I hate to use it at all but I got this for free and I am on a tight budget trying to fix my muddy problems.

 

[Anny]

Cedar isn't really good to us for animal any animal. Alot of people like to use cedar because it keeps away from bugs and such, but Cedar shavings/ give off 'fumes' are also toxic to chickens. By themselves, they may not cause problems, but they may affect the chickens respiratory system enough to stress them and make them more susceptible to other diseases that may be around.

 

[Southernbelle]

Playground sand is supposed to be very effective for soggy, muddy runs and it's cheap!

 

[jubylives]

I wouldn't use it for the run. It might make it messier. I don't believe that cedar is as bad as some say although anything with an odor in an enclosed area in large amounts can be an irritant. Never seen anything to prove it is fatal. In summer months I toss a couple handfuls in the coop to freshen it up for several years now and everyone is fine.

I'd agree with usinf pea gravel or a type of small gravel to shore up a messy run.


jeremy

 

[georgialee]

PLEASE trust me that it will not help with mud problems.... it will just make it worse. The next time it rains all those shavings are going to be worked into the mud and then it's going to be like quick sand - really thick and sticky. I second using playground sand instead.

 

[Teresaann24]

I ended up doing the Fine gravel on the mud and then a bag of play sand in each muddy run then I covered that with about a inch thick of pine shavings mixed with a little red cedar shavings. Oh how they loved it!...LOL I got 4 nice clean eggs today no more muddy legs and bums..LOL Thanks everyone for your advice.