Chickens and Cedar Wood Shavings - Ask Extension
I have a large bag of cedar wood shavings and thought about it putting down on the ground where it is very muddy. My chickens roam through this area....
Knowledgebase
Chickens and Cedar Wood Shavings #435256
Asked November 25, 2017, 12:21 PM EST
I have a large bag of cedar wood shavings and thought about it putting down on the ground where it is very muddy. My chickens roam through this area. I read that cedar is harmful to chickens in a coop. Would putting it on the ground be harmful. Thank you
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
The reason that cedar affects small animals is that it releases aromatic oils that can cause respiratory discomfort. If you are using them in an outdoor muddy area - they should not cause a problem. However, the shavings will absorb water as well as will need to be scraped up and disposed of after a bit or the muddy area will expand with the addition of the organic matter.
