Not your normal cedar question.

[neo71665]

I know about not using cedar chips but growing up my grandma have a huge run and it always had cedar trees in it. The only half shady spot I really like for our coop is under a big cedar tree. I have a tin top over my 10x10 pen but the cedar needles still gonna get in it. The chickens seem to be fine now after 2 weeks being in it nonstop. Can somebody tell me it is indeed a bad idea and why?

 

[cavemanrich]

Using cedar chips, and living under a cedar tree are not the same thing.
Using cedar chips, are not recommended for chicken litter. There have been debates on the subject with views from both sides. Some peeps insisted that they used and did not have problems. Others stated just the opposite.
I am of the "do not use crowd" and here are my reasons. Aromatic cedar chips do emit volatile vapors, that are not good for chickens lungs. It is not equivalent to inhaling gasoline fumes, but you get the point. Chickens do not start to drop dead quickly, but long-term effect may be bad on chicken lungs. The source of the cedar smell, comes from the wood chips from the trunk.
A cedar tree, growing outdoors, will shed some needles, but being subject to wind, rain, and other elements, I don't think there is very much of the cedar aromatic present.
Another thing to consider,,,,, is which variety of cedar do you have growing. The aromatic one is of the Eastern Cedar variety. The Western Cedar, like used for decks, and fences, has very little aroma.
If you are standing in your run area, and do not smell the aroma, that would be equivalent to a Cedar Lined closet, I don't think you have much to worry about.
Your grandmothers chickens lived with it, and yours will also.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[neo71665]

Ok I'm in the same boat with the chips and figured the same as you about under the tree. I didn't see it as a problem but there always people that know more than me and I'm willing to learn.


As far as I know about all we have in arkansas is eastern cedars.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Shed branches/needles aren't the same as chips or shavings that have a higher surface area to release aromatic oils.

That said, I do use Western cedar chips. They're so aged out by this point that there's almost no scent.

 

[cacjr]

I am new to the chicken scene. I got my first chickens ever earlier this spring. I made a mobile / portable coop out of an outdoor A frame previously used for a swing. It has 4 posts and one ridge beam that are cedar of some type. It was weathered for a couple years before I repurposed it as a chicken coop. I has an open front with ridge vent along the entire top, and a gable end vent. The floor is grass, weeds of a non mowed back yard. Right now I have 4 chickens in approximately 35 sf of coop space, with an additional 64 sf of run (all movable). then pretty much they get let to free range for 3 or 4 hours every afternoon / evening. I just lost my 3rd chick since about March or April. The first 2 went sudden without any forewarning, this last one got sluggish for a few days and then just couldn't get up and about anymore. I had to make the executive decision to put it down. I am wondering if the cedar posts may be my issue. The 3 that I lost were all smaller than the others I got of the same age. I have been getting my chickens off of my sister and she has been adding them as they've died. I sure don't want to be labeled as the neighborhood chicken murder..... but from everything I am coming up with the cedar is not my problem. I don't know if there is a toxic weed somewhere in my yard or what is going on. I've lost 3 hens and butchered 1 rooster. 8 total birds with 4 losses. thanks for any input in advance.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Weathered cedar of any type outdoors should not cause issues, and even if it were, it would most likely be showing up as a respiratory ailment.

Other than the lethargy were there any other signs of off behavior, such as unusual poops, not wanting to eat, etc? Probably going to be difficult to tell what might've caused these losses without a necropsy.

 

[cacjr]

Weathered cedar of any type outdoors should not cause issues, and even if it were, it would most likely be showing up as a respiratory ailment.

Other than the lethargy were there any other signs of off behavior, such as unusual poops, not wanting to eat, etc? Probably going to be difficult to tell what might've caused these losses without a necropsy.

The first two just died with no real warning.... or a warning that I noticed. This last one, I noticed wasn't acting right and within 2 days it got bad. I don't think the cedar is an issue, but someone questioned me on it. thanks for your input.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The first two just died with no real warning.... or a warning that I noticed. This last one, I noticed wasn't acting right and within 2 days it got bad. I don't think the cedar is an issue, but someone questioned me on it. thanks for your input.

That's a real headscratcher, especially with the first 2 if they showed no sign of illness and simply dropped dead.

The only "oddity" is that you mentioned all 3 were noticeably smaller so there could've been some sort of internal issues, but hard to say. I assume your sister hasn't had any illness outbreaks or unexplained deaths in her flock?

 

[cacjr]

She has not had any issues and she is just as puzzled. The deaths have been spread out from each other. I leave an area of about 1/2 acre grow wild and mow it no more than once a year and no less than every 3 years to keep down bigger brush. I am not sure if there is a plant that is toxic in my mess of a yard.