pine chips for coop bedding?

[Verl]

hey!
i am new this summer to chicken keeping and havea question regarding bedding!
i just got a ton of pine chips delivered and they are mixed with some elm wood chips and pine needles...is this appropriate for the coop floor? or are the pine needles going to hurt the ladies' feet? is elm ok? should they only be shavings not wood chips?
thanks!!!

 

[WhiteWyan]

Try it out, and post results! Sounds like fine bedding to me.

 

[Verl]

Ya?! Ok! I told maybe it wasn't soft enough for their feet! I'll give er a go

 

[WhiteWyan]

Pine needles I've actually seen being sold as mulch and I've heard people use that as bedding. Good luck.

 

[Verl]

Awesome! Thank You!
I know it will make the coop smell so fresh!

 

[aart]

Beware of using any fresh wood chippings with chickens....
....toxic mold blooms are a very good possibility.

 

[Verl]

Beware of using any fresh wood chippings with chickens....
....toxic mold blooms are a very good possibility.

Oh dear! Ok. So, how long do they need to sit before I can use them?
How do you know if they have toxic mold?

 

[aart]

This guys story explains it all.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dying-chickens.1129854/

 

[Verl]

This guys story explains it all.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dying-chickens.1129854/

Oh my goodness! I read it all. That is so scary!!
Ok...well I might just save those chips and needles for my veg garden!
Thank you for posting that!

 

[aart]

Oh my goodness! I read it all. That is so scary!!
Ok...well I might just save those chips and needles for my veg garden!
Thank you for posting that!

Or just let them rest in the yard for 3-6 months, then use them in the run.