Uh oh... WOOD shavings vs Pine shavings...

[holachicka]

So I went to Tractor supply and asked for pine shavings at the checkout, they said just pick up a bag on the way out, there was only one type on the way out of the store, but now that I'm home seting up my box for my very first chicks arriving next week, I notice that the bag says wood shavings...

NOT pine shavings... I'm worried that it's a mix that might contain cedar... Anyone have experience with this? I don't want to hurt my first set of chicks but the store is two hours away!

 

[NoseyChickens]

I had that happen. Sent the boys out to the coop to spread out the new wood chips without taking a good look. They put it out and in less than a day 2 of my birds had swolen eyes and trouble breathing. We scooped it right out and they were fine, but it was scary. You should be able to tell by the color. If any of it is reddish/brown down't use it. That was with full grown brids, I'd be really careful with chicks. I keep my chicks just on paper towls the first couple of days. If there is a Petsmart or even Walmart they should have just pine bedding for sale for hamsters and whatnot.

 

[Tiramisu]

Does it label anything on the bag...? If not maybe the supplier has a website to tell.

probably best, if you can't find info, to not use those shavings.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I hate that too! DD got cedar once...

 

[SillyChicken]

I was disappointed in what they had too, they used to carry clear bagged shavings so you could at least see what you were getting, these were in white cubes... I did get some and they were pine shavings.

 

[easttxchick]

I specifically asked for pine shavings at TSC and they sold me the same white bags-they weren't pine, they were cedar(of course you couldn't tell til you opened the darn bag and smelled them).

 

[Ridgerunner]

The ones I get say wood shavings. They do not say pine. Sometimes they are in the clear bags and sometimes in white. If when you open them up they are reddish and smell like cedar, don't use them. If they are white and don't have a strong smell, they should be fine.

 

[jjthink]

Insist that Tractor Supply put you in touch with the company supplying the shavings. Insist that the company provide in writing (e-mail or fax) what type of wood is used (if Tractor Supply will do this for you, fine). Don't use the shavings until you feel assured they are pine. It's such a crucial matter that stores supplying these products should know better than to have there be any doubt whatsoever!
JJ

 

[trase]

When we got our pine shavings at TSC, they came in a white bag and were actually back by the horse supplies. The poultry supplies aisle is right next to the equine aisle, so I think it was just a matter of space at the store by us, but perhaps it would be worth a gander for anyone looking to purchase some there in the future?

The store manager even said "right where you wouldn't expect it." She's great - she and her family have a farm and so she's quite knowledgeable, we are fortunate. I wonder if the TSC employees who directed to "wood chips" were just not that farm-savvy; perhaps they are just there for the paycheck? I don't know how much and what type of experience TSC expects from their employees?

 

[Bullwinkle]

Quote:
Hi Holachicka:
I also have a white bag of "wood shavings" from Tractor Supply. I was concerned also as the bag gives no indication what kind of wood it is. I went online to their site and the picture they use online is of a clear bag that definitely looks like cedar chips. The chips/shaving in my bag are all light color. They have a mild smell, but not nearly as strong as Cedar chips I have used in the past. I decided to go a head and use them, but I believe I will still get pine chips or ground up corn cobs this week end at TSC.

I've been watching my chicks closely (if they could talk in english I think they'd say too closely) and they are all fine. I'm guessing though that the kind/variety of tree's used may vary (at least from looking at the picture online) so be careful...