Would cedar nest boxes be OK?

[eschwaderer]

I've got some oooold cedar and I need to make nest boxes. I know cedar shavings are not good for chickens, but cedar boards?????

 

[pkeeler]

I think the problem is with small chicks and cedar shavings. Cedar boards and older birds probably would not be much of a problem. This is especially true if the birds are just in there for a few minutes a day to lay.

Now, if you will have birds going broody and raising chicks in the boxes, cedar would not be my choice.

 

[Quack Shack]

Still has the oil in the wood which may weep with changes in the weather so I just wouldn't try it. Sure would make for nice sachets!

 

[cybercat]

No cedar for chickens. Ceder oils stay around a long time so do not use cedar inside a chicken coop. Outside it is fine just not inside.

 

[ChooksChick]

We used a ton of old cedar to make our banty shanty- but it was an old fence that had been weathered for years.

I have some old cedar forming parts of my nest battery (hate using that word...how about wall-o'-nests?) and it's been fine. It's not getting wet, it's had years to evaporate fumes, and it's dry and practically petrified...I think it's good for resisting bugs.

I've read lots of arguments on how pine is bad, cedar is bad...I use hay for bedding so it's not like the girls even touch the wood, and they're certainly not closed up in the boxes...


I think just using your judgment is fine, being aware that the aromatic wood is not appropriate, but it's fine if it's not giving off fumes or oils.

 

[patandchickens]

Sniff the wood (especially freshly-cut surfaces). Does it smell like a cedar closet? Might be safer to avoid it, although with good ventilation I would personally be shocked if you had noticeable problems.

If it doesn't even SMELL very cedar-y, then there is no possibility of problems, go right ahead and use it for whatever

Good luck, have fun,

Pat