Thickness for Pine Shavings - how often to change/clean

[aart]

In class (Poultry Science 101), they didn't specify what the chemicals are so it would require some research to find out.

Where did you go to school...are you a veterinarian?
I don't doubt that in certain situations the oils from pine shavings could be 'toxic',
but there are a lot of variables to take into consideration.
This has been discussed at length in more than few threads here.
To blankly state that they should not be used for chicken bedding is going a bit far.
Hundreds of chicken keepers have kept their birds on pine shavings for years with no adverse affects.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Been using pine shavings for years without problems.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have been using shavings for a few years as well with no adverse effects. Yes, they do scratch, peck and sometimes eat small pieces of bedding, whether it's pine shavings, straw, hay, pine needles, leaves, etc.
Chickens eat all kinds of things, but as long as they have poultry grit, they should be fine.

I could see where pine may be quite aromatic if they were placed in an enclosed space without proper ventilation, but likely the ammonia fumes from poop would overtake them before the pine would.