Would cat litter be bad to use with chickens?

[savingdogs]

My husband keeps asking me why we can't use industrial grade cat litter in the coop?

We are currently using sand and liking it. We have access to free industrial grade cat litter though. Would it be harmful?

 

[Anny]

The only thing that would worry me is the amount of dust the cat litter might made, would it cause issues with upper respiratory.

 

[BellLisamo]

i would assume the chickens would eat it thinking its food?

 

[Mountain Sunshine]

most cat litters are made of clay and other products that are not edible. I would not suggest using it.

 

[fiberart57]

I agree with Mountain Sunshine about not using the litter because of its clay mixture, quite possibly it could cause digestive problems for your chickens. In addition to the clay, there are sometimes chemicals put in for odor, clumping and general household use. I idea of industrial grade cat litter is something I've not heard of though, sometimes the word industrial can cause concern.

I would stick with sand. I like it because its easy to clean with a litter scoop.

Mary

 

[redhen]

I would not use it... they could eat it. And it would block them up...kill them...

 

[CoyoteMagic]

What about using pine pellets? Just a touch of water will break them down into managable mix. Even when slightly damp they don't smell bad. That's the kind of litter I use with my cats and you wouldn't know that I had 3 in the house with litterboxes. No cat smell at all. IMHO cats poo is worse than chickens!! lol