I've read some people firmly against sawdust in the chicken yard, has anyone had problems with it?

[AK Chick]

We use sawdust from the wood we cut for firewood (Spruce,Hemlock,Birch) to keep the chicken yard covered. Sometimes, we put straw in the coop, but for the outside run, we put mostly sawdust. Has anyone had problems with this? My chickens seem fine, but my experience is limited... None are feather footed varieties.

 

[MeepBeep]

There are different degrees of saw dust, the stuff coming off a chain saw is entirely different from the stuff coming off a fine toothed circular saw...

Th bigger flakes like those off a chain saws or from a lumber mill IMO are just fine, it's the fine dust like stuff that can case some respiratory issues and should generally be avoided...

 

[sarahandjay]

If the sawdust if just for the outside run I do not see a problem with it. I know the concern when using it within the coop is that if its not properly ventilated and since the dust is fine it may cause respiratory issues.

 

[RonP]

I have always tried to avoid chain saw dust in my coop and compost when possible, as the oil lubricating my chain needs constant refilling...as in every new tank of fuel.

This may just be a problem with my chainsaw. I do not use it often enough to investigate.

 

[MeepBeep]

I have always tried to avoid chain saw dust in my coop and compost when possible, as the oil lubricating my chain needs constant refilling...as in every new tank of fuel.

This may just be a problem with my chainsaw. I do not use it often enough to investigate.

If you are concerned you can switch over to using just plain old vegetable oil (Canola is the pros choice) for the bar lubricant instead of petroleum based bar oil...

They even sell green friendly, non-toxic bio (vegetable) based bar oils, but it's a lot more expensive vs a gallon jug of Wessen ...

 

[RonP]

If you are concerned you can switch over to using just plain old vegetable oil for the bar lubricant instead of petroleum based bar oil...

They even sell green friendly, non-toxic bio (vegetable) based bar oils, but it's a lot more expensive vs a gallon jug of Wessen

...

Never even thought of using that

..

 

[AK Chick]

What an interesting tip! I'll be sure to share that with my husband. I never even thought of the oil from the chainsaw bar...