wood shavings

[frprsn]

Hi was hoping someone could answer a question about wood chips. I read that hardwood chips chould not be used and that pine is recommended. Is that correct? My brother has a cabinet shop where he uses all kinds of mixed woods and has lots of shavings. Should I avoid it? Thanks Sandra

 

[Darklingstorm]

Pine shavings are the recommended wood. Saw dust should not be used since it could get into their respiration and cause infections.
Cedar and some others have an oil that can cause problems in chickens.

I only use pine shavings myself.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I get wood chips from a saw mill that uses all sorts of hardwood. Cedar you want to steer clear of, it naturally emits a gas that repels insects (cedar closets -cedar chests) that gas isn't good for chickens. Pine is fine, all the others are OK.

 

[Ted n Ms]

If i had a brother with wood chips i would tell him to load me up.

 

[JNB]

Hi... In my chick pen/brooder I only use pine shavings.... like others said too fine of shaving like sawdust can cause breathing issues plus the finer they are the more dust it creates.
I use Pine shavings in my nesting boxes and on my coop floor.. It works well for me

Ceder shavings of any kind are not said not to be good for the birds or small animals. I do have an open air run and I do use ceder shavings around the edges of my run to help keep unwanted bugs out of the run...

 

[OurLittlebitRanch]

We bough BIG bails of corn husks. It works great for bedding with the hens, not so much with the little ones Wood chips or "chopped" straw (I am not positive if that is what it is actually called) seem to work very well.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

You also want to make sure there isn't alot of stain and preservatives in the chips you get, just a thought...just clean fresh raw wood.

 

[RonC]

I buy the large pine shavings from TSC. About $6 for a good sized bag of them. Enough to fill a 4x4 coop about 5-6 inches deep.