pine tree needles...??

[smom1976]

I was reading another post and they mentioned that they used pine tree needles for the bottom of the coop.. now we have soo many of those trees around here can I use that instead of shavings or straw..
'

Just for clarification the needles are about 5-6 inches long and sometimes come in clumps of two or three needles each..

 

[lauralou]

I sometimes use dried leaves and pine straw on the ground in the run. I haven't tried them in the coop itself. I wonder if the pine straw would be absorbant enough. In any case, I think it would be safe. Give it a try. If you don't like it, you can always clean it out and try something else.

 

[mudshark]

I have lots of leylandii and have to cut them back quite a bit and am wondering if I shredded the leaves from them whether they'd work well.

 

[Davaroo]

AS long as it isnt toxic, yes, it will work. Shredded leaves are fine.
Pine straw isnt real absorbent, but when deep enough, it allows the droppings to collect and cleared out readily.

 

[hinkjc]

I wouldn't recommend using pine needles in chicken housing or runs. Their feet are very susceptible to bringing in bacteria and it only takes one poke from a pine needle to cause infection (bumble foot). In addition, they may eat them and end up with an impacted crop. Just some concerns I wanted to bring to light. I hope this helps.

Jody

 

[Davaroo]

Jody (hinkcjc) has forgotten more about chickens than most of us will ever know, and makes some good points.

I can only add that living in SC, just about everything done here is done on pine straw (fallen needles). This includes rearing chickens. I use it in nests and of course the birds roam freely in it all the time. I haven't seen any issues with it to date.

But as always, YMMV.

 

[onecent]

thats all i use is pine straw or needles, i use it in the nest boxes, & in the coop on the floor, i havnt had any problems .