Shavings bedding problem

[Chickeninthemeadow]

About a week or two ago, I picked up a new bale of shavings from TSC. It was supposed to be flake.

Today, I cleaned out the brooder and went to put the new shavings into the brooder. It was probably at least 30 % or more dust!

Do shavings decompose/break down when kept long in those big bale bags?

I'm not too worried about the chicks eating it, it was pretty dusty. However, I do worry about inhalation of the dust now that I read another thread.

Should I take the open bag back to TSC and see if they'll exchange it? TSC is about a 30+ minute drive for me, so I'd rather not head out if they aren't going to exchange it. I'll probably just buy shavings from a different feed store next time.

 

[gavinandallison]

I would call them first, see what they say and explain the distance you will have to travel. My local TSC is very good, they may well compensate you with an extra bag or 2, but take the old bag back as well if you go......

 

[Blue Ridge Hillbilly]

I don't think shavings would break down in the bag. Maybe you need to let Tractor Supply know so they can talk to their supplier.

 

[F106A]

Are these the pine flakes you got from TSC?

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tractor-supply-company-reg-flake-premium-pine-shavings-5027706

I've yet to hear of the problem you described. My first thought is the bag may have been part of an old stock, may have had a tear in the bag, and decomposed somehow. That's just me guessing, of course, but I agree you should take the bag back to TSC, and exchange it.

Mark

 

[wayne206]

I'm a newbie here. Great site. I've heard cedar shaving make good bedding. I bought 10 5-day old chicks. I used shredded paper from my shredder for a while. They loved it. They're going on 4wks old now. I have built a 4x8' coop (on legs) w/ screen around it. It was still cool at night so i use a heat bulb. I built section w/ door in the middle and put plastic over the half that they sleep in. The flying bugs are beginning to come out in the evening. I replaced the screen on the door with half inch square wire so the bugs can get in..They go CRAZY chasing them but the bugs don't last long. Thanks, and I really like this site

 

[gertiie]

Quote:
I thought I read somewhere cedar was toxic for chickens ?!?!

 

[galanie]

Quote:
I thought I read somewhere cedar was toxic for chickens ?!?!

It is! NEVER use cedar shavings for chickens!

 

[zoo357]

I don't think Cedar is good to use as shavings for anything. I know it also shouldn't be used for small animals either.
I too used shredded newspaper (and old phone books) in our chicks until we moved them outside.

 

[flnatv]

Quote:
I too picked up a bag earlier this week and it is VERY dusty... I have never noticed because I typically only buy for the horse stalls, but now that we have chickens..... Let us know what they say.....