I had my first chicks last year and I used Pine shaving in the brooder and the chickens were all fine and I still use pine shavings for my pullets in their coop. Though, I just read part of "City Chicks" and the author said not to use Pine due to respitory problems, but instead to use Aspen shavings for chicks. Your thoughts please?
Respiratory issues are more of a rodent/reptile thing, and don't effect poultry very much if at all. I've been raising chickens forever and I've never had problems with pine shavings also, pine is Much cheaper than Aspen (I have to use Aspen with my snake because pine will cause respiratory problems)
Cedar is toxic to chickens. Cedar shavings and chips have lots of natural oils and resins that interfere with chickens' respiratory systems. Chicks are affected much more quickly. Stick to pine shavings... cheap and safe for chicks, plus it composts much more quickly.
