Red Cedar Shavings!

[Domestic_goddess]

I bought cedar to put in my brooder and now with all my research on this site, I'm second guessing myself! Of course I don't want to harm my chicks in any way. If you have a well ventilated brooder, is cedar still bad? What about putting cedar on the floor in my Chicken coop...is that okay? Any input would be great apprecaited.

 

[MissAnnieFrannie]

I don't know this by experience, but I do know that Ideal states this in there FAQ:

"Cover the floor with an inch or two of rice hulls, shavings, ground corncobs or other semi-coarse, absorbent products that do not easily mat. DO NOT USE CEDAR SHAVINGS, cedar is toxic to chickens. The litter should be covered with burlap material, cheesecloth, paper towels or other non-slick material for the first three days. This will prevent the babies from eating the litter, reduce the possibility of the babies from becoming sprattle-legged and provide for easy access of feed sprinkled on top of the material."


I think that maybe you should go with the whole "better safe than sorry" plan, and get some pine or alternate bedding. You could always sell the bag of cedar you bought on craigslist or something, that way you havent totally wasted your money.

 

[vicki2x2]

Cedar is never recommended for chickens or rabbits. I have seen them die from it. It is much more likely if they are already stressed or sick, but why take the chance? Our fair banned cedar years ago because every year animals would die and kids would be upset and crying and it would be only the ones with cedar in their cages. The stress of bring at fair and then the cedar caused them to go into respitory distress and die.

 

[MissAnnieFrannie]

Lol, we arent trying to beat you up, promise! Just trying to make sure we give you accurate info.

I found this, btw https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=294892 This gentleman used cedar and it unfortunately caused him to lose a few chicks before he found out that cedar is toxic.

Hope this info has helped. There are also more suggestions in that thread regarding other bedding you can use.

 

[Domestic_goddess]

Okay so I get it, cedar is really bad for chicks and I understand why......But, please be patient with me If my hen house is well ventilated....can I use it for them on the floor?

 

[pacetruckguy]

It sounds to me that cedar is toxic to chickens, therefore I wouldn't use it at all.

 

[MissAnnieFrannie]

I really don't think you should. That's just my opinion. And don't worry, plenty of patience here

. You should not use it for chickens or chicks. I picked up a bag of pine shaving (80 lbs) for just a few dollars at TSC.

 

[silkiechicken]

Well, you could use it, and if well ventilated, can probably be fine. Thing is, if you can smell the cedar if you put your head in the shavings bag, it is still releasing the phenols that cause irritation to the airways. This irritation won't kill the directly, but over time weakens their immune system/mucosal membranes, making them susceptible to respiratory illness.

If your ventilation is great enough to where you cannot smell cedar when your nose is a few inches from the brooder floor, go ahead and use it at your own risk. If you can smell it and want to use it, let it air out in the sun for a few weeks or months depending on how old and dried the cedar chips are in the first place.