Please Help Me!

[sadies chicks]

Quote:
Ok I am confused (and thank you Chickenaddict for posting the link)...the site says that Pine Trees are toxic, Level 6/7, however most people start the chicks on pine shavings. What is the difference between the tree itself and the shavings?? leaves? bark? Granted, Level 6 is "unknown" but Level 7 shows it to be toxic...

Good eye, sadie, and very good question.
Level 7 states that it is known to cause problems in animals, but it would be nice if they could specify what the problem was, or to which animals. Upset tummy? Puking? Death?
How, exactly, would one even know if an animal had an upset stomach anyway? Maybe the problem lies in the ingesting of the needles? Or the sap, maybe?
Does anyone have any insight here?

Yes it would be great to know since our run is comprised of a chipped up pine tree

(which the kids LOVE to scratch in) and here we were thinking we were safe

 

[earnhardtlvr]

Wow! The run we r building and the coop is right next to a big pine tree!! Hope someone out there has some experience with pine trees??!!

 

[Celtic Chick]

That has got to be a mistake by the author, I'm thinking. Pine shavings is like the #1 bedding produced specifically for animals.
I checked Wikipedia & they state nothing about toxicity. It says goats eat the needles, and birds (& people) eat the seeds/nuts.
I don't get it.

 

[sadies chicks]

Quote:
yep ours too! forgot to mention that

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
yep ours too! forgot to mention that

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/87534_house_and_chicks_4-25_046.jpg

Oh, what an adorable chicken coop! I love it!

 

[sadies chicks]

Quote:
Heck I hope so! It would seem that the birds would have issues from the start if pine (in any form) was toxic or at least an irritant to them. Let's hope it is a mistake

 

[sadies chicks]

Quote:
yep ours too! forgot to mention that

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/87534_house_and_chicks_4-25_046.jpg

Oh, what an adorable chicken coop! I love it!

thanks!!

it totally rocks! the birdies love it!

 

[earnhardtlvr]

OMG Sadies chicks!! That has to be the most original/cutest coop I have seen so far!! Ours is a converted smokehouse.

Hopefully I can bring some life to the boring building tho!

 

[Anianna]

I see that list is posted on a bird site, but it specifically refers to animals in general. Some animals do have problems with pine, but not all and the list doesn't specify the part of the plant that is an issue. I would not rely on this list as a definitive for your chickens. I think I may know a better list and I will look for it when I get home from my daughter's riding lessons, so give me a couple of hours.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:
Heck I hope so! It would seem that the birds would have issues from the start if pine (in any form) was toxic or at least an irritant to them. Let's hope it is a mistake

Excellent point! If it was bad for them, then the day-old chicks, with little immunity, would for sure become sickly, I would think.