Why are pine shavings good for chickens?
Pine shavings are commonly used for chicken coops as they’re more absorbent than most other materials, have insulating properties, are low in cost and widely available, and can be used for the deep litter method and composting.
What shavings are bad for chickens?
You absolutely need pine wood shavings, and not cedar shavings (cedar oils and scent can be toxic to chickens). Go for large flake wood shavings, over fine shavings (too dusty) and don’t use sawdust (way too dusty and damp).
What is the best bedding to use for chickens?
By far the most commonly used litter is wood shavings, sold in feed stores, or scrounged from woodworkers. Wood shavings have a pleasant smell, are amazingly absorbent, and don’t pack down. Sawdust also works well but is dusty. Chickens stir it up and dust settles on anything in the coop.
What kind of shavings should you use for chickens?
Two of the most common beddings materials are pine shavings and straw. For pine, larger flaked shavings are recommended because they create less dust and allow for quick scooping of waste. Cedar shavings are not recommended because the scent can be overpowering and even toxic, especially to chicks.
Are fir shavings OK for chickens?
Fir shavings would be just fine. If you mix cedar with the other shavings you should not have any problems either. Lots of people say that the fumes and toxins could harm the chickens. The shavings I have seen are kiln dried, which takes the moisture down to about 4%.
Is pine mulch bad for chickens?
Pine needles are okay to use as mulch if you want to, but many don’t find it to be the best option. It’s also a common chicken bedding material that people use. The important thing to remember is that pine needles are perfectly safe for chickens.
Can you put fresh chicken poop on a garden?
The answer is to use it as a soil amendment or fertilizer. However, raw chicken manure can burn and damage plants. It should be composted or aged prior to use. In addition, raw manure can contain pathogens that can harm people and animals.
Where is the best place to put my chicken coop?
It’s a good idea to put the coop somewhere where it is partially shaded, and partially in the sun. This means your chickens can beat the heat when it’s getting a bit toasty, as well as bask in the sunlight when they want to catch some rays.
Do chickens like sun or shade?
Should you build your chicken coop in the sun or in the shade? For most climates, your chickens will prefer a coop that is built in the shade, because chickens generally suffer more from heat than cold. Additionally, hot coops are difficult to cool down, whereas cold coops can be warmed up.
