Sheep wool in the chicken coop?

[cassandrapettersson]

My mother suggested putting sheep wool in the girls nesting boxes, is that safe?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I wouldn't. I can see my girls gulping it down, thinking it's something delicious

 

[Brooks_]

My mother suggested putting sheep wool in the girls nesting boxes, is that safe?

Being a protein source, I think they would eat it. Pure guess on my part.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know if they will eat it or not or how much harm it would do if they did. My health concerns would be more about an impacted crop than health issues because of "nutrients". Not sure I'd be that concerned about that.

But raw sheep's wool has lanolin in it. That's what makes it feel greasy or oily and gets your hands all oily if you handle it. I don't think I'd want that lanolin on my eggs, especially if I wanted to hatch them.

 

[cassandrapettersson]

Maybe I could make something with sheep wool for the coop? I read another thread of people who did it

 

[cassandrapettersson]

I don't know if they will eat it or not or how much harm it would do if they did. My health concerns would be more about an impacted crop than health issues because of "nutrients". Not sure I'd be that concerned about that.

But raw sheep's wool has lanolin in it. That's what makes it feel greasy or oily and gets your hands all oily if you handle it. I don't think I'd want that lanolin on my eggs, especially if I wanted to hatch them.

Is there this lanolin in it when washed? I have sheep and they're getting shaved soon, but I've never really taken the time to study about sheep :,) I'm more of a bird person

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Is there this lanolin in it when washed? I have sheep and they're getting shaved soon, but I've never really taken the time to study about sheep :,) I'm more of a bird person

A proper wash will remove the lanolin.

 

[NestingMillenial]

Wool will absorb humidity though, so I am not sure that's be best, except is you are ready to change that very often ^^

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Wool will absorb humidity though, so I am not sure that's be best, except is you are ready to change that very often ^^

Natural materials in general absorb humidity and moisture including wood shaving, hemp bedding, straw and hay.

 

[NestingMillenial]

Natural materials in general absorb humidity and moisture including wood shaving, hemp bedding, straw and hay.

Agreed, but I would think wool would be way above that and make a good job of overly keeping wet. Might be wrong