Wood shavings for bedding?

[EastCoastChickens]

Hey there,
So my neighbour has a wood shop and supplies bags of wood shavings to a few other folks in our community and their chickens. Mostly pine, some maple, poplar, spruce. All raw lumber not treated. Small shavings from the planer and other equipment. Just wondering if anyone else uses wood shavings inside the coop or if I should use hay? I would have an endless free supply from the wood shop but want to make sure its' ok to use as bedding in the coop and nesting boxes.

 

[allosaurusrock]

Wood shavings are great. As long as it’s not cedar, you should be fine.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Go for it! I've used scrap wood shavings for my coop. I personally don't like hay for the seeds because I compost but that's just me! Hay is dustier than wood shavings too.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Free wood shavings!!! You are lucky. A very popular bedding for a brooder or a coop is wood shavings. You can buy bags at Tractor supply and similar places. Those are usually pine or aspen but others are fine. But heed the warning on cedar shavings. Those give off fumes that can be dangerous in a confined space. Do not use cedar shavings. I have not heard anything about spruce but I might be a bit cautious with high concentrations of spruce unless your coop is really well ventilated.

 

[aart]

Probably quality, kiln dried lumber?...should make great shavings.
Tho maybe a bit smaller/thinner than the 'large flake' I prefer,
so may break down sooner....but safe? yeah.