Is this product safe for chickens?

[Cryss]

I use poop boards with a layer of granulated PDZ that I scoop every day. My local feed store is considering changing brands and gave hubby a baggie with a sample for my opinion. I called the store to get the name of the product but I see there is more than one version. This is the one I think most closely matched the name she gave, Top Bedding brand, Equine Dry ammonia and moisture absorber. She said it’s not actually PDZ but it’s Top Beddings version.
It is a powder which is my first concern. Scratching would cause inhalation. Not good. I plan to ask if it comes in granular form.
My second concern is fragrance. It can be detected without opening the baggie. It’s a piney eucalyptus fragrance, quite strong.
Any thoughts?

https://top-bedding.com/en/our-products/bedding-conditioner/

 

[DobieLover]

I would avoid anything with added fragrance.
Have you considered using coffee ground bedding? I switched to that due to the price of PDZ and I've been very satisfied with it. It's much lighter and less expensive and just a faint hint of coffee aroma.

 

[Cryss]

I would avoid anything with added fragrance.
Have you considered using coffee ground bedding? I switched to that due to the price of PDZ and I've been very satisfied with it. It's much lighter and less expensive and just a faint hint of coffee aroma.
View attachment 3194950

That sounds interesting. Do you get it at a feed store? I’m guessing it’s spent grounds? Is there no danger of caffeine problems?

 

[RosemaryDuck]

That sounds interesting. Do you get it at a feed store? I’m guessing it’s spent grounds? Is there no danger of caffeine problems?

If you look on the forums there's a thread discussing the use of coffee grounds. I personally would never use them as even 'spent' grounds have some level of caffeine. Animals cannot process it like we do and it can be fatal if they ingest enough.

Especially young birds & chicks are in danger as a user here lost some a while back while keeping them on grounds.

 

[Cryss]

If you look on the forums there's a thread discussing the use of coffee grounds. I personally would never use them as even 'spent' grounds have some level of caffeine. Animals cannot process it like we do and it can be fatal if they ingest enough.

Especially young birds & chicks are in danger as a user here lost some a while back while keeping them on grounds.

Thank you. I’ll have a look at that thread.

 

[DobieLover]

That sounds interesting. Do you get it at a feed store? I’m guessing it’s spent grounds? Is there no danger of caffeine problems?

Yes. I get it at TSC. It's much less expensive and performs as well. I find it to be less dusty than the granular PDZ. The amount of residual caffeine is very low and my birds don't eat it regardless. When I made the switch, I just sprinkled one container of grounds over the PDZ and mixed it in. Whenever I needed to add more material, I would continue to mix in more grounds so it got gradually darker and the chickens didn't lose their minds at a sudden change and refuse to roost.
If I recall the people who were losing birds were using it to bed down the entire coop and the birds were young and didn't know not to eat it. My flock is multigenerational and they know what is food and what is not and they teach their chicks the difference.

 

[Kiki]

I would avoid anything with added fragrance.
Have you considered using coffee ground bedding? I switched to that due to the price of PDZ and I've been very satisfied with it. It's much lighter and less expensive and just a faint hint of coffee aroma.
View attachment 3194950

This?
https://www.ruralking.com/grounds-recycled-coffee-animal-bedding-35-lbs-f3500000

 

[DobieLover]

This?
https://www.ruralking.com/grounds-recycled-coffee-animal-bedding-35-lbs-f3500000

Yes. TSC sells it too.

 

[Kiki]

Yes. TSC sell it too.

I had no idea it was sold like this
I always assumed people went to Starbucks and got their leftover grinds to use. Thanks!

 

[Cryss]

Wow! If I tried to have that delivered from rural king the shipping cost is twice+ the price of the product! I’m going to see if my local place carries it.