Pine pellets?

[TomOBedlam]

Does anyone use pine pellets as substrate for their coop?

Similar to Equine Pine or Feline Pine, is what I'm considering. It's cheaper than shavings, and I like how easy it is to clean. I've used it for horses and cats before, and would love to just be able to buy huge bags for multi-animal use. Is this safe/advisable?

Is there a reason not to use this instead of pine shavings in a brooder, once the chicks are a week old or so and their legs are a bit developed?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Katy]

I've never tried them, but I'd be worried they might mistake the pellets for their layer pellets.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I'm with Katy...I would think they would want to eat it...just like not putting cat litter down...they would mistaken it for food and impact their crops....

 

[TomOBedlam]

Ahhh, I didn't know about the similarity to layer pellets. I guess that answers that one

.

Thanks guys!

 

[SisterFlash]

When I use it in my horse stalls I make sure to wet it and let it all expand..so no pellets are left. Would this method work?

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I would still think a chicken would try to eat it....

 

[silkiechicken]

Wet pellets, does that lead to moisture problems?

 

[TomOBedlam]

Not for horses, really...what I've done is wet it down just enough to make the pellets release slightly, so it expands partway and the horses don't have to stand on crunchy pellets. The beauty of the pellets is that they absorb wet (urine) and release from their super-compressed pellet state into nice fluffy sawdust-like-but-not-dusty substrate. As long as you change it out when it's completely degraded to fluff they never really feel wet.

It's kind of hard to explain, but they're way cool for animals that won't eat them.

 

[SisterFlash]

Quote:
No they are not wet when they are done expanding...really dry. It was so weird when I started using them. I was very skeptical.

They work better in my horse stalls than the pine shavings.

1. the pee clumps
2. softer footing
3. easier to sift out poop, hay and other stuff...less cleaning tiem and less to manure pile (a stall takes less time and less in my wheelbarrow too)
4. stuff that goes to the compost pile is more broken down already due to the size and thus the compost finishes much sooner.
5. cheaper so my bills have gone down over all as the hay prices have gone up
6. pee spot does not smell even if left until the evening
7. horse I board with bad ring bone is now sounder on these shavings. maybe from the cusion effect and overall comfort of this product. I do have rubber mats but he was on these before with the pine shavings and this is the only change...except that his ring bone has progressed.

There is a site called the perfect stall run by a vet and she recommends pelleted horse shavings and says it reduces amonia and slipping of the old pine shavings.

Now if these are good for chickens or not I do not know. Just sharing how this works in my horse stalls. I am still learning and lurking on the chickens.

Barb

 

[SisterFlash]

Quote:
great description...what brand are you using. Yeah they are also not dusty.
I also think they keep the barn warmer.

On the eathing thing...I am jsut not sure they would....hum

Barb