Pine Shaving Shortage??

[poppycat]

I've been having a heck of a time finding pine shavings. The feed store closest to me hasn't had them in forever and the 2nd closest feed store said there is a widespread shortage because alot of manufacturors switched to making fuel pellets because of a shortage of those. I finally found some way far away. I bought as many as I could fit in my truck. Is anyone else having a problem with this? Also what's a second choice bedding? Pine shavings work so well for me but I think maybe I should have a Plan B.

 

[Orpingtonlover]

My brother lives in Ohio and he had a terrible time finding it and used either hay or straw here in Vermont i can buy wood shavings compacted for $5.00 a bag and it covers a 8 square foot coop with 4 inches of shavings and they always have it

 

[chickbea]

What state do you live in?
I would think any feed store that did business with horse people would have shavings. If not, is there a large equine farm near where you live? Maybe they can put in an order for you when they get their truckload.
I used to use shredded paper from our office, which worked OK, until we got a new shredder that chewed up the staples. In a real pinch, I have used dried leaves. Of course, that won't work with babies, but older chickens think it's great!

 

[poppycat]

I live in Oregon. I did eventually find some

I just had to drive an hour to get them. It's been raining so much that I could just about go snorkeling in my backyard and I need to soak up some of the muck in the run. Good idea about the shredded paper. I bet in a pinch I could run some newspaper through my shredder and use that on the coop floor.

 

[Redneckchick]

What state do you live in ? Is there a lumber mill near? They usually love people to haul away their "waste" . My uncle was a chicken farmer 30 years ago and I remember being small and hauling 18 wheeler loads back to the farm with him. No shortage here in Mississippi, matter of fact I get my shavings for $3.50 a bag (50-60lb).

 

[Firstrune]

Yes, we've had problems getting pine shavings too, there definitely is a shortage. We use them for the horse stalls, and would normally buy them at the local TSC or Orschelens Farm Center, but they didn't have any for weeks. We finally picked up a few bags a couple of weeks ago at a different farm/feed supply store. I don't know what the problem is or what has caused the shortage but it's affecting lots of horse people.

 

[MTchick]

I get my shavings for free from a small factory that produces custom pine furniture. They are happy to get rid of the stuff- otherwise they have to pay to haul it to the local commercial composter. I have a friend that works there, but even without that I suspect they would be pleased just to get rid of it for free.

You might investigate the lumber mill, furniture factory, etc option. It will save you a lot of money if you successfully find a source like that.

-MTchick

 

[lively Bee's]

Yeah ust search for a local saw mill all you can load and haul for fee. Or a 5.0 cf bag is about 4 bucks here

 

[beckt]

I had a hard time finding the pine chips around the end of Feb. But now I get mine from the grain elevator where I get my chicken feed. Our local Rural King store had a few bags but doubled their price so I said no way. As of late I have had no problem getting it.