Why are ceder shavings bad for chickens?

[Chickassan]

Just so y'all know cedar shavings can come preloaded with wood mites.Got a bag here I can't use because it's so infested, like pouring out of the bag infested. Never see mites in hardwood shavings my usual choice. I don't know if wood mites irritate chickens but they didn't do me alot of good.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I've always read to use pine shavings and not ceder, but I have always wondered why. I read that the ceder fumes were bad or something.

Cedar shavings contain a large amount of cedar sap or raisin. This cedar oil will coat and contaminate the eggshell which means a lack of oxygen during incubation and either a partial or a total failure of the eggs to hatch. I am also unsure if pine shavings are any better.

 

[Abriana]

Cedar shavings contain a large amount of cedar sap or raisin. This cedar oil will coat and contaminate the eggshell which means a lack of oxygen during incubation and either a partial or a total failure of the eggs to hatch. I am also unsure if pine shavings are any better.

I have never had an issue with pine, but ceder does smell stronger.