Wood shavings

[CB3fish]

I prefer aspen to pine as it has very low odor of any kind, but it is more expensive than pine and a little harder to find so not the usual recommended option. I also have better luck finding aspen in larger flakes than pine, so my birds are a little less inclined to snack on it versus pine.

Thank you so much. I did find the pine at the Tractor store.

 

[CB3fish]

Aspen should actually be fine. It is primarily cedar shavings that you have to avoid.

It is all about the aromatic oils. The oils in cedar are fairly strong and cause harm in various animals if they are exposed over a long period of time.

Pine is far more common and cheaper and has minimal issues. Aspen is actually somewhat cleaner, but is also more expensive. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using the Aspen shavings. I use pine.

Thank you so much.

 

[newchicks5]

i like aspen to .

 

[CB3fish]

i like aspen to .

The only thing about aspen is the cost is way higher than pine. Over $14.00 verses $5.00 for pine which by the way is much heavier.

 

[newchicks5]

i only pay around 6.00 $ maybe 7.00$ 2cu ft

 

[CB3fish]

That is a very good price. At Petco it is much higher for the same 2 cu ft.

 

[Chullicken]

May also look into Chopped Straw, I use all kinds of bedding for my animals but I find pine shavings take a year and a day to break down. As chopped straw compost fairly quickly for me. Both very inexpensive.

 

[CB3fish]

Yes, I have also used straw and it is good. I agree the wood shavings do hold up long. I am using straw right now for very fresh chicks just hatching. It is softer as well.

 

[CB3fish]

The pine chips come in two sizes. I got the bigger size chips, the clerk keeps chickens and she said she learned the big chips worked better.
The eggs in my incubator: there are 6 Heritage Plymouth Rock eggs, the rest are eggs from my neighbors chickens. They will be sex chickens, the rooster is a beautiful Rhode Island red. Also I did order 6 pure bred Rhode Red chicks from My Pet Chickens, today the chicks arrived. Very sadly 3 were dead!! They will replace them in 2 weeks. No cause known? There was a heat pack in the box but I suspect there was too much packing which kept them from keeping warm? The 3 survivors are doing okay, eating, and eating. I had some straw and put that in for now. The chips will be next.
In my college studies, I read about a test, electrodes were attached to a plant and the tester was instructed to concentrate looking at the plant and thinking, I love you. No response, them the tester was told to think, I am going to burn you up and the electrodes registered wild response!! Also I saw the video of a person who was going to abort a baby, the baby in the womb moved as far away as possible from the tool. Further it is proven that a baby in the womb hears and senses if he or she is loved and wanted. Therefore as I shared, the baby chicks in the eggs in my incubator are sung too at each turning and also prayed for, that the almighty will bless them as they grow. Now I am not saying these chicks understand any words but they may sense positive love? If there was a broody hen, she talks often to the eggs and lots to the baby chicks.

Well I think today is day 20?? I did not start counting until the first 24 hours counting that as day one. But the chicks are hatching today!! Four are already out and I can hear a chick peeping in the shell!!!!!! Not cracked nor any opening but that little chick is peeping already!! Sooooo this means they could hear me singing to them!!! Maybe a good thing??

 

[Dayrel]

Sooooo this means they could hear me singing to them!!! Maybe a good thing??

Depends.... How good is your singing?

Good luck with the hatching.