Pine shavings - sawdust

[bjcoop]

My DH creates small pine shavings from planing wood. They are smallish, (say 1/8" in width) but long. Would this be okay for the chickens to play in? He thought it would be a good use, but I've read (here) that sawdust is bad for them. I don't want to get them sick.
-------------------
16 spoilt chickens, 1 rescue chicken-hound dd

dh

 

[doodledo]

I wouldnt use them but that is me. When I got my 1st chickens I used sawdust for thir bedding. They ended up with what this guy called "pastey butt". Sounds funny but their poo was so hard they couldnt get it out and they were getting clogged or something like that. So I havent used it since. Now others might tell you to go ahead. I think it is up to you.

 

[1acrefarm]

Plane shavings are not exactly sawdust. They are basically shavings. I don't see where a wood plane would produce anymore fine particles than you get from a bag of shavings. If it has very few fine particles I say use it.

 

[bjcoop]

I think I'll try it. The next few days are supposed to be COLDER, so they will be stuck inside again. But I think I'll put it in the dust bowl half of their barn--away from their food.

Since they are all "big girls" they hopefully won't eat too much of it. Thanks 1acre and doodledoo !
___________________
16 spoilt chickens, 1 13yo rescue chicken-hound dd

dh

 

[rooster-red]

The shavings should be ok, just don't use sawdust, and don't use cedar shavings.

 

[nightshade]

I use saw dust from a local wood mill. They sell it for animal bedding, the local cow farmers ect. buy it by the ton. I get it for free cause I shovel on what is spilt when they load the dump trucks. It IS very, very fine sometimes and I would not recomend it for inside a coop. I use it in my outside run to soak up the mud from the ducks and rains. Works great for that.

 

[meriruka]

Quote:
Don't the chickens eat it when they're out in the run? Mine eat anything that isn't nailed down and what is nailed down, they pry up and eat.

 

[LinckHillPoultry]

I personally have never used sawdust. I use shredded paper. It's not slippery, its fluffy. I've never had any bad experiences with it.

 

[nightshade]

I have been using them since June of '07 and haven't had any problems with anyone eatting them, even the ducks. They scratch in them usually when I first put fresh ones in. Picking bigger peices out and dropping them in a pile. I put them in usually four inch deep, and they just love it. I am sure it would depend on your hens. Some might have problems with them others might be good. My best sugestion would be to put a little bit in (like a 50 lb size feed bag full if you have larger then a 10x10 run) and see what they do. If it seems to cause any problems, like someone thinks they are yummy and hogs in. Then I wouldn't use them. But if they just scratch in them and pick at them alittle, like they are trying to figure out what they are. Then I would say you should be okay.

 

[willheveland]

I don't use sawdust but love using planer shavings,and try to have all my woodworking buddys save them for me.I've tried using oak and a few other hardwoods but never really liked them.Almost like they were'nt absorbent enough.I like pine the best,smells great,light and fluffy and composts nice.I put it in the nest boxes too. will