Saw dust vs. wood shavings/chips

[jesskelweb]

A friend gave me some saw dust from untreated wood for the coop floor. Is there any reason not to use saw dust? I see others have used wood shavings and wood chips for the floor. Wondering if the fine dust would be a health concern if they inhale it.

 

[jwchicklady]

I have read that sawdust is a no-no, because it is bad for the chickens respitory system.

 

[BushHog936]

Sawdust, as with any dust, can be harmful to most animals if not all. Dust from some woods irritate the respiratory tract more than others. Also, sawdust would just cake up when pooped and rained on over time making is a hassle to use.

 

[LilbitChicken]

I'd have to agree....the chickens are gonna scratch at the saw dust...and inhale......not good.

 

[Country4ever]

Not good for you either!
Hey....so why is it okay for horses?

 

[Judy]

Around here, it is what is commonly used, though I am sure that is usually in dirt floor coops. That is what I was told at the feed store, where they do not carry any kind of litter. Have not seen the local operations, though.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
It's not -- sawdust is not recommended for horses, and not used all that often. What's mostly used for horses is *shavings*, which are different. (Even then, there are dustier and less-dusty shavings, and the dustier stuff can indeed cause problems).

The exception, I'd say, is that there is some kind of sawdust/shaving type product, evidently the byproduct of SOME sort of wood machining process but I dunno what, that produces sort of little teeny sleet-like balls that you might possibly call sawdust except there is next to no dust associated with it. That works ok with horses IME.


Pat

 

[jesskelweb]

Thanks, everyone. I am putting the saw dust in the compost pile instead! It will be equally useful there.
Appreciate the replies! So glad I didn't use it.....
Jessie