Is there is a real difference between Aspen and Pine bedding?

[bobsmith2002]

Is there is a real difference between Aspen and Pine bedding? Is one better than the other? Which one is better for chickens? Which one is better for ducks? Which one smells better? Which one lasts longer?

 

[thecatumbrella]

Some people claim (now Jimmy Buffet's in my head) that aspen is "safer" than pine. No idea why, but maybe because there's less aromatics? I use large pine flakes because they're affordable, available, and the chicks can't eat them unless the bag's full of fines.

Hemp is vastly superior in odor control, but both of the broods I tested it with had blood in their stool shortly after switching. This could have been a coincidence, but I'm a bit reluctant to push my luck. No one else seems to have had this issue.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I have used both, although I can't speak for the longevity of aspen as it's too expensive and I didn't use it much.

Aspen is supposed to be safer because it doesn't contain the irritating aromatic oils in it that pine does and it is dust-free. Even the screened, large flake pine shavings are much dustier than aspen.

The advantage of pine shavings is it's cheaper. It is safe for use with poultry in well-ventilated areas. I find the Top Bedding brand of pine shavings to be softer than aspen and I think it smells better.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I favor aspen because I can find it in larger flakes than pine. It is more expensive, but cost isn't a factor since I only use it in the brooder and the nest boxes so a single bag lasts years.