Using Ashes Under Bedding for Odor Control?

[Alden Chickens]

I was wondering if there is any danger in using the ashes from our corn/pellet stove under the straw bedding to help with the odor in the chicken pen. We burn a mixture of 1 to 3 pellets to corn and there are a lot of ashes. We also add oyster shell to the stove to prevent clinker from forming so there is some of that in the ash bucket as well. Willl it hurt the hens if they scratch in it or peck at it?

 

[SunnyAlberta]

I do not know about that mixture specifically, but in my experience of just giving ash and charred wood to chickens out of our fire pit, they love to dust bathe in it and some will eat a bit. I've had no problems.

 

[chfite]

It seems that the ashes would help control moisture. Plus the chickens like to bathe in them.

Mine pick through the ashes and eat the small pieces of charred wood.

Chris