stuff you can use and stuff you SHOULD NOT in your coop.

[NovaAman]

I have had my birds dust them selves in wood ash and dirt... I have yet to have mites. They seem to do it on their own every year we burn the sticks and branches. Every year, they jump the fence and dust in it. Guess they don't know better...

 

[aoxa]

I have had my birds dust them selves in wood ash and dirt... I have yet to have mites. They seem to do it on their own every year we burn the sticks and branches. Every year, they jump the fence and dust in it. Guess they don't know better...

I also mix mine with black earth. They just love soil, so that's what I do.

The coals in the wood ash are more dangerous than the actual ash part. I sift through it and remove chunks before adding it to my dirt bath pool.

 

[the chickenator]

Oh you can use wood that is cedar. Just not cedar shavings

sweet!!!! about 75% of the material for my coop is salvaged cedar, so it is a significant cost savings to use this.

 

[aoxa]

sweet!!!! about 75% of the material for my coop is salvaged cedar, so it is a significant cost savings to use this.

Have at it! Good luck!

 

[Crafty-Duck]

sweet!!!! about 75% of the material for my coop is salvaged cedar, so it is a significant cost savings to use this.

I strongly suggest you paint the wood!!!!!!! you don't want to end up with a bunch of chickens with breathing problems.

 

[aoxa]

I strongly suggest you paint the wood!!!!!!! you don't want to end up with a bunch of chickens with breathing problems.

Crafty Duck,

Soo many coops are made out of cedar. It is not dangerous. It's the shavings that are. When they get wet, that is when the breathing issues arise. Shavings will get wet, no matter what you do.

 

[Crafty-Duck]

There is debate about using cedar wood so.........I like to play on the safe side!

 

[aoxa]

There is debate about using cedar wood so.........I like to play on the safe side!

Would you deworm your chickens? Would you provide antibiotics if sick?

 

[nova022]

Lye is made from wood ash from hard wood and rain water so I can understand why people feel it could be problematic to allow chickens to use it for a dirt bath.