So, my run stinks. literally.

[aart]

If it came down to it, I could probably find enough dry needles to use at the very least for nest bedding. I'd be worried that it's too sharp for their feet though personally.

Depends on the type needles.
Short sharp ones, no.
Long pliant ones, yes.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Depends on the type needles.
Short sharp ones, no.
Long pliant ones, yes.

Ahh, that makes sense then. My trees all are the long ones, but the tips are sharp enough to draw blood if you grab the ends wrong

 

[aart]

Ahh, that makes sense then. My trees all are the long ones, but the tips are sharp enough to draw blood if you grab the ends wrong

Yeah, well, pine shavings have sharp edges too.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yeah, well, pine shavings have sharp edges too.

Mine have never drawn blood from being picked up wrong though

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I used pine needles in my run once.

I had chickens that looked like they were imitating porcupines. I guess when they dig through them to get to dirt for a bath, and then roll around, the pitchy ends stuck in feathers. It was hilarious and frustrating.

After a week or so they dusted up and didn’t stick any more.

 

[Canina]

Mine have never drawn blood from being picked up wrong though

I can’t tell you how many times I have put my hands in a bale of shavings and caught myself on a bit of a stake or sharp edge, even the brands approved by her majesty the queen. Depends on flake size though. The larger the more problems.

 

[BReeder!]

I can’t tell you how many times I have put my hands in a bale of shavings and caught myself on a bit of a stake or sharp edge, even the brands approved by her majesty the queen. Depends on flake size though. The larger the more problems.

To that point, even straw pricks me. People use it all the time though for chicken bedding. Let's not forget that chickens have scales on their feet. They do just fine with all the bedding options mentioned.

 

[RoyalChick]

Ahh, that makes sense then. My trees all are the long ones, but the tips are sharp enough to draw blood if you grab the ends wrong

I have a number of White Pines and their needles are incredibly soft and lovely.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I have a number of White Pines and their needles are incredibly soft and lovely.

Oooh, I adore white pines. Had one for a Christmas tree once and couldn't stop going over to touch it. They really are super soft!

 

[Canina]

To that point, even straw pricks me. People use it all the time though for chicken bedding. Let's not forget that chickens have scales on their feet. They do just fine with all the bedding options mentioned.

I’ve unloaded literally thousands of bales of hay and straw on deliveries drawing blood up and down my arms and dug shavings out of a lot of bags but let me tell you there is a world of difference
Between a bit of a scratchy stalk or even a bale with a few thistles in it vs large solid and pointed stakes of wood covered in a thousand jagged splinters that get caught in an animal's coat and feathers and cause cuts and abrasions. Sure they have scales, but poultry get sore feet all the time. As keepers I think we should always be aiming for more than ‘just fine’ but that’s my opinion.