Wood chips?

[lazy gardener]

The quote in the post above makes a BIG assumption: that the birds that died had prior compromised immune systems. No evidence of that.

I don't call that a big assumption at all. All birds were in the same environment. Only 2 got sick and died (unless I missed something as I skimmed through the lengthy thread.) In any flock situation, there ARE going to be animals that are LESS thrifty, MORE prone to illness. Those animals, simply by definition have a compromised immune system. Not to the point that we consider it to be a clinical diagnosis, (such as HIV/Aids). Consider this: Marek's virus is most likely in all yards. If a chicken gets Marek's at all, it's usually an isolated bird, not the entire flock. Coccidiosis is in all soils. Yet, it's a rare occurrence that an entire flock will get sick. However, if you expose your flock to stressors: moving, crowding, poor feed, poorly ventilated coop, that's when you will see illness. And it will show up in your weaker flock members. Those weaker members have a WEAKER IMMUNE SYSTEM.

 

[aart]

The quote in the post above makes a BIG assumption: that the birds that died had prior compromised immune systems. No evidence of that.

That's why the 'quote' should have been a linked quote so others could read the whole thread/story.
The situation was directly observed and thoroughly tested by a university/county poultry biologist.

 

[Aji Dulce]

I remember that thread and was able to find it ..............

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dying-chickens.1129854/

Edited to add from that thread:

Continuing to update.

From Dr. Clark today...


"Just got the info on fecal cultures from your birds, isolated from tissues and isolates from litter
No salmonella isolated. Aspergillus, rhizopus, mold and yeasts isolated."

All directly related to the wood chips per Dr. Clark. No other factors or issues involved.

Thanks.

 

[Aji Dulce]

I don't call that a big assumption at all. All birds were in the same environment. Only 2 got sick and died (unless I missed something as I skimmed through the lengthy thread.) In any flock situation, there ARE going to be animals that are LESS thrifty, MORE prone to illness. Those animals, simply by definition have a compromised immune system. Not to the point that we consider it to be a clinical diagnosis, (such as HIV/Aids). Consider this: Marek's virus is most likely in all yards. If a chicken gets Marek's at all, it's usually an isolated bird, not the entire flock. Coccidiosis is in all soils. Yet, it's a rare occurrence that an entire flock will get sick. However, if you expose your flock to stressors: moving, crowding, poor feed, poorly ventilated coop, that's when you will see illness. And it will show up in your weaker flock members. Those weaker members have a WEAKER IMMUNE SYSTEM.

Looks like I should be OK keeping wood chips in the run, not allowing it very long to grow mold, whereas inside the coop I should stick to purchased shavings? What about if I do put chips in the coop but mixed with green leaves, freshly cut grass and herbs?

 

[lazy gardener]

The whole take away from Bee's response is this: Chips should be well aged, and mixed with other materials. You have to make your own judgement call on any material you use in coop and run, based on quality of material, amount of space in coop/run in relation to number of birds, amount of ventilation, moisture content. I can't tell you what to do in your situation. I will say that I would have no problem putting AGED chips in my coop and run, but those chips would be a part of the total material, not the only material. My coop is well ventilated, I adhere to the max recommended stocking density of 4 s.f./bird, and prefer to have 6 s.f./bird. My ceiling in coop is 7' high. If I put chips in the coop, they would be a year old, and well on their way to breaking down.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I don't call that a big assumption at all. All birds were in the same environment. Only 2 got sick and died (unless I missed something as I skimmed through the lengthy thread.)

They lost 50% of their flock; 4 out of 8 died, that we know of. They were quite heartbroken and haven't followed up since.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

They lost 50% of their flock; 4 out of 8 died, that we know of. They were quite heartbroken and haven't followed up since.

I just checked and the remaining 4 came through OK. Whew... I remember when reading that thread from cover to cover that I was afraid the others might not make it. But they did thankfully.

 

[Counting chickens]

Possible problems if I use wood chips in coop and run, with deep litter method?

Great Question!

 

[Aji Dulce]

The whole take away from Bee's response is this: Chips should be well aged, and mixed with other materials. You have to make your own judgement call on any material you use in coop and run, based on quality of material, amount of space in coop/run in relation to number of birds, amount of ventilation, moisture content. I can't tell you what to do in your situation. I will say that I would have no problem putting AGED chips in my coop and run, but those chips would be a part of the total material, not the only material. My coop is well ventilated, I adhere to the max recommended stocking density of 4 s.f./bird, and prefer to have 6 s.f./bird. My ceiling in coop is 7' high. If I put chips in the coop, they would be a year old, and well on their way to breaking down.

Not sure I understand because I thought wood chips get moldy with age. Is that not what breaks them down? Well-aged so they won’t be moldy?

 

[aart]

Not sure I understand because I thought wood chips get moldy with age. Is that not what breaks them down? Well-aged so they won’t be moldy?

There are many organisms that break down organic matter.
Molds, and other organsims, are everywhere, some can be toxic if in large enough quantities.
Whether or not they grow to a toxic quantity depends on the conditions where they are. When it's really wet and warm, they can grow quickly and become a problem.

The freshly cut chippings of live trees contain a great amount of water, and the molds that reside naturally on the bark can grow very quickly in those conditions. As the pile of chippings ages, drying and other organism growth balance out the population of the more toxic molds.
Not sure if that make sense to you or not, it's kind of hard to explain simply as there are many variables in the mix.

It all about balance.....of moisture, air, and the different types of plant matter that you have in your run to strike a good healthy balance. Observation and adjustment are necessary to achieve this balance.