What to floor the coop with? Cedar killed my Brigitte :(

[brigitte_the_leghorn]

I have a concrete run and I liked to give the hens a section squared off which bit of a 'soil run...' they use it to dustbathe and scratch around. But recently I put cedar shavings on top which stated they were poultry safe, but stupid me put it down and I think my sweet Brigitte was poisoned

I need to put something down that can [somewhat] absorb any smell, will not rot and is SAFE for my girls. I removed ALL cedar bedding and I'm ready to start over. Thanks for your help and compassion.

R.I.P. my sweet Brigitte

 

[Kaitie09]

Get pine shavings instead.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Sand might be good. I used cedar chips for the first while (organic, untreated) and I didn't lose any birds. I hope you figure out what happened and I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I use dried leaves in my covered run.

Edited to say: I'm sorry about Briditte. She was very pretty.

 

[brigitte_the_leghorn]

Thanks guys, I've done some light research on river sand...what is your opinion on using straight soil besides that it's messy? Would sand be better?
Again, thanks a lot!

 

[franklinchickens]

We have a mix of pine shavings and playground sand for the run. It was 2 separate areas but quickly became mixed up. My girls free range during the day but I find them in the run pretty often dusting themselves and digging holes. Of course they do this in the yard too but they seem to like the sand & shavings because it is easy to practically bury themselves!
I should add that our COOP has a vinyl floor and is raised above the run. They only go in there to roost & lay. The run is underneath and that is where the sand/shavings mix is. It doesn't really get poopy or smelly because it isn't where they live all the time.

 

[ladyride]

we use equine pellets & pine shavings .

 

[maizy'smom]

I saw a thread on here a few days ago, I think it was about dust baths, that used peat mulch mixed with sand and DE(?). The post-er's girls seemed to love it. The also had something about using a children's green plastic, turtle-shaped sand box(with a lid) as a dust bath. I just mention that so you can recognize which post it is, if you go looking.

mm

 

[brigitte_the_leghorn]

Thanks so much guys! Heading to the store now for pine and sand...will keep ya'll posted on how they like it