wood chips from a tag along chipper

[lilrose922]

we recently had a local tree trimming company come by trimming trees for the power company and I asked for some of the shredded materials the got to use in my chicken runs but then I got to wondering is it safe to use not knowing exactly what might be in it. Can anyone help with knowledgeable answers I've seen pros and cons just made me confused thanks in advance for any replies newby chicken grower!

 

[Dwkuska]

If you didnt know what kind of wood it was I personally wouldnt use it. When you get wood shavings from your local farm store youll notice they go to great lengths to call it CEDAR/PINE shavings, not just wood. Some woods would rot quicker than others, some might have too much sap content leading to stick feet. Other trees could cause respitory issues from dust.

 

[cmonkey4]

I agree with @Dwkuskathat you shouldn't use them if you don't know what trees they come from. I think that pine shavings are best, and I have heard people say cedar shavings are not good for chickens.

 

[Dwkuska]

Black walnut is a big no no. Same with rhodadendron(or however you spell it)