What are you using it for?
The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!
- Thread starter Bulldogma
- Start date
They're not likely going to be eating it. In moderation, it might be ok. I've never used it as I'm up north, but I use citronella. A single dried leaf crumbled up in the bottom is all I use. You want the scent to be barely, if at all discernible.
Yep, eucalyptus is great for a deterrent 
The toxicity is mostly from eating it, or fumes if it becomes too moist, but that's also usually from chips used as bedding.
However, if you use Deep Litter method, it may affect microbial colonies that are needed to help break down waste. But again, that's usually from chips used as bedding.
I use it (in an extract form) in the roost in summer to repel gnats and mosquitoes (I don't use deep litter), and never have even seen a mite, so I'm going to assume it works lol
The toxicity is mostly from eating it, or fumes if it becomes too moist, but that's also usually from chips used as bedding.
However, if you use Deep Litter method, it may affect microbial colonies that are needed to help break down waste. But again, that's usually from chips used as bedding.
I use it (in an extract form) in the roost in summer to repel gnats and mosquitoes (I don't use deep litter), and never have even seen a mite, so I'm going to assume it works lol
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well, it was more i was sprinkling a handful of it and spearmint in the indoor serama cages in the litter- after i did that someone mentioned the toxicity and i got scared i had poisoned them! sheesh- it i organic if that matters ?Yep, eucalyptus is great for a deterrent
The toxicity is mostly from eating it, or fumes if it becomes too moist, but that's also usually from chips used as bedding.
However, if you use Deep Litter method, it may affect microbial colonies that are needed to help break down waste. But again, that's usually from chips used as bedding.
I use it (in an extract form) in the roost in summer to repel gnats and mosquitoes (I don't use deep litter), and never have even seen a mite, so I'm going to assume it works lol
The issue isn't organic or not - it's eating it.
What kind of cages are you meaning? I think if you have it in a nest box in moderation that's one thing. But if they are enclosed with it and it's on the floor where they live, I would be hesitant to use it that way. Chickens eat off the ground and they're always scratching through whatever is on the floor looking for tidbits.
If I knew it was toxic I probably wouldn't take the chance myself. They may pick it up from the floor even if it's just stuck to something else they're eating.
Also, for chickens and other birds in general, sometimes the issue is the fumes. Birds are very sensitive to various fumes and items like teflon coated light bulbs ("rough service bulbs") have been the cause of killing entire coops of chickens. It would be a good idea to do a little research and see if the fumes of the particular item may be a problem.
What kind of cages are you meaning? I think if you have it in a nest box in moderation that's one thing. But if they are enclosed with it and it's on the floor where they live, I would be hesitant to use it that way. Chickens eat off the ground and they're always scratching through whatever is on the floor looking for tidbits.
If I knew it was toxic I probably wouldn't take the chance myself. They may pick it up from the floor even if it's just stuck to something else they're eating.
Also, for chickens and other birds in general, sometimes the issue is the fumes. Birds are very sensitive to various fumes and items like teflon coated light bulbs ("rough service bulbs") have been the cause of killing entire coops of chickens. It would be a good idea to do a little research and see if the fumes of the particular item may be a problem.
curious chickee
Songster
I use eucalyptus mulch from cutting my trees down with my deep litter, we have healthy bugs and no mites. All my birds are very healthy, never had a problem from the eucalyptus bedding, but I do use pine shavings in the besting boxes.
@curious chickee
Do you use it indoors in the coop or outdoors in the run?
Do you use it indoors in the coop or outdoors in the run?
Organic always matters
But that's my humble opinion, nothing more lol 
As far as worrying you poisoned them; nah, they're ok
If you were to FEED them the leaves, (which they probably won't eat anyway) they would have to eat A LOT of them to reach toxic levels, and as far as using an extract, they don't usually eat the litter either The problem is bedding. Eucalyptus bark is great for bedding, for HORSES. It's even good for respiratory issues for them, but 2 things keep the bedding from being suitable for chickens:
1. As @Leahs Mom mentioned, respiratory system of chickens us very sensitive, much more so than horses. Different species and all ha-ha
2. Coop ventilation versus a normal horse stall is more cramped, more waste, and less air flow, leading to a build up of fumes as the bedding breaks down, and eucalyptus interferes with microbes in the deep litter method that would normally help keep those odors at bay.
A handful won't hurt at all, just don't buy a truckload of eucalyptus mulch or bedding in hopes of filling the coop with it
ok, so i think i'll change it out in the indoor birds- because it is a confined space- but would be acceptable outside- its the confining that might be a problem- hmm so maybe bay leaves then
oops just read your post @shortgrass LOL!
oops just read your post @shortgrass LOL!
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