what to do with pine shavings

- easier cleanup, almost like cleaning out a kitty litter box, I could just use a rake to remove the soiled shavings and chicken poop They also soil their nesting boxes and eggs with these poopy feet. Only sand is a better contender, due to its inorganic nature. Waste wood chips burn to create heat, although they are not as efficient as kiln dried pellets or solid wood. Hemp absorbs more than pine (wood) shavings, pellets, or straw. This is simply because I’d be afraid of my chickens being exposed to mold and other growing pathogens that I may not be able to see. Pine shavings as mulch! Pine shavings are soft and absorbent, but may pose a danger to puppies. Did you scroll all this way to get facts about huon pine shavings? Pine Shavings. Good litter is material that accomplishes these purposes: Pine shavings are a very mediocre source of litter. The most popular colour? Pine shavings for chickens have become increasingly popular. Although I didn’t initially notice the dust, within only a day or two, every surface of the room was covered in a thick layer of dust. Here is a list of the supplies that I use with pine shavings, and Amazon links for each: How I use these supplies is explained in detail below. They tend to stay drier than straw, but they are considerably more moisture-rich than sand. You can fluff the shavings up a bit if you want, but you don’t need to do so. Wood mulches in general are used for pathways, decorative mulching, and weed control. You should at least consider removing the droppings from the shavings with a fine tine pitchfork on a daily or, at the very minimum, a weekly basis. Many people disagree with me on this, though, and will tell you that their chickens live long, happy lives on pine shavings. I planned up some pine 2×4’s for saw horses and filled a dog bed up with the shavings for the dogs… Not sure how long the smell will be around, but the pine does seem to freshen up there area.. jk pine said: If you live close to a farm, they'll be more than happy to take your shavings for bedding. How often you change them is largely a personal choice. Yep, that’s right, your birds are actually cleaner themselves on sand. Watch Reply. If you can replace shavings frequently, though, your chickens will be in heaven. Well you're in luck, because here they come. With this being sai… I use the same taping knife and plastic tote that I use for scraping my chickens’ droppings boards. This is despite having really good ventilation in the coop. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Our site gives you recommendations for downloading video that fits your interests. Please read my most recent article on pine, Pine shavings in the coop: The secret chicken killer?, before going any further with this post. You should never smell ammonia in your coop. Chicken poop is very moist, and if your bedding isn’t very absorbent, it will turn to a stinking, rotting, slimy mess in no time. When I poured my very first bag of pine shavings into my first coop, I relished the scent. You can get very large bags at your local farm store, or you can buy small bags online, like these pine shavings on Amazon. However, if you have a small coop, this might not be that big of a problem because your chickens aren’t scratching around in the coop as much. I wrote this post you’re now reading before doing thorough research on pine shavings toxicity. You can find zeolite crystals here on Amazon. For more on sand, check out my article, Using sand in the coop. gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) 11 years ago. 4.3 (806) was save . Pine Wood Shavings For Animal Bedding & Sawdust. Get the same reliable shavings that you have used for years. Finally, grab a large muck bucket with a wide mouth for easy filling, or a wheelbarrow. Featured Answer. But you need to use your best judgment. Pine shavings can be used as bedding in the brooder. Jan 10, 2012 New Hampshire. Pine shavings can be found in almost every farm supply store. I couldn’t be in that coop for more than a minute without my eyes watering, my nose itching, and my lungs hurting. It doesn’t matter if your chickens have wonderful dust bathing material just outside the coop, or even in a container inside the coop, some of them will occasionally dust bathe in the bedding. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Two of my roosters, Quiggles and Champ, enjoy fresh pine shavings in the coop. UPDATE: Research indicates that pine shavings bedding may be toxic for your chickens. You can use pine shavings in your run under certain conditions. If you do choose to use shavings, try and get the larger 'chips' versus smaller shavings, and NEVER use sawdust. Is It Worth My Time to Use Natria Weed Killer. The pine shavings on top were exposed to the air and dry (and gravity took the water deeper), but the layer of pine shavings on the floor, hidden from view, was soaking wet. Cedar shavings are frequently used as mulch, especially in widely spaced plantings, such as blackberry bushes or tomato bushes. It will not kill them, nor will it remove an infestation. For the deep litter method, pine shavings seem to work well and are inexpensively purchased at your local feed store in bales. Check out my article, Pine shavings in the coop: The secret chicken killer?, for a summary of the current research. He walked over today to tell me he's been taking the bags of saw dust and shavings (from my DC) that I put out at the road to mix into his worm beds. Pine shavings are very gently on duck flippers (and human feet). This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Periodically, use a special rake or pitchfork, like this fine tine pitchfork on Amazon, to remove the soiled pieces of bedding from the coop floor. This gives the grindings a chance to decompose and it increases the nutrient in the soil. Pine wood chips work well as a mulching material, but be careful about which plants you spread them around. What To Do With Hemlock Shavings? If you use some of the methods outlined in the section above, you may be able to go even longer. And your chickens will get filthy in another way. As long as the shavings are dry, and are 3-6 inches in depth, you may be able to go a couple of months before you absolutely have to change them. In fact, pine shavings may be the most commonly used bedding in brooders, at least in the United States. As I've mentioned in other posts, we are building a house from wood I cut a couple of years ago. A good thick bed of shavings should be about 2 inches (5 cm) over a rubber mat, as much as 8 inches (20 cm) over a dirt floor, or as much as 14 inches (36 cm) over cement. I couldn’t even tell. Do you know anyone with a worm farm? Moisture from the droppings helps speed up the breakdown of the droppings and bedding, and so more ammonia is released in a shorter amount of time. Aspen. Maybe just start a separate pile and only use that compost on plants I don't intend to eat? Here are a few ideas to help you in utilizing the stump grindings. In my search for the ultimate chicken coop bedding, pine shavings were the first material I tried. Pine is more resinous, which might create problems used in thick plantings like strawberries. Small Pet Select- Pine Shavings Chicken Bedding, 141L, Brown (Chikpine-141l), $29.99; Living World Pine Shavings, 4-Cubic Feet, $22.99; Kaytee Pine Bedding for Pet Cages, $9.99; Pine Shavings (Bedding) in a Bucket by TERRAFIRMA - 1 Gallon - Small Animal Bedding - Kiln Dried Shavings - Super Absorbent - … The bedding on top was completely dry. You’ll see that out of all possible bedding materials, pine shavings ranks very low due to its toxicity. TaylorSelect Horse Bedding. High ammonia levels are extremely rough on a chicken’s eyes (in extreme cases, causing blindness) and are damaging to a chicken’s respiratory system. Ice Melter. Pine shavings, pine pellets, chopped straw – TaylorSelect has it all. Pine is typically preferred over other kinds of wood shavings because it’s: You can use some other types of wood shavings in your coop too, such as aspen shavings (a soft hardwood). As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn commission on qualified purchases. As stable owners ourselves, we recognize the importance of reducing animal bedding costs while maintaining the level of horse care and cost management you require. And at the time this happened, it was the heat of the summer, and my chickens were still very young. How to Use Tree Stump Grindings as Mulch. When you cut a tree in your garden, you are left with a tree stump. Is he right? What could I do? The shavings will expand on their own pretty quickly. Pine can also emit strong odors, but is ok for bedding as long as it is kiln dried. The coops or brooder boxes do not stink, and the compost is richer and less acidic than shavings. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. All of the problems I detailed above were caused, or greatly exacerbated, by moisture. White pine shavings can be purchased at farm supply stores and are sold as litter and bedding for animals (rabbits, for example). Pine shavings are a lot more economical than cedar shavings for rabbits and more readily available as well. They not only provide you the much-needed shade but also make the air around the house much more breathable. For a summary of scientific studies that have looked at pathogen growth in pine shavings, see my article, The best chicken coop bedding: Sand vs. straw vs. pine shavings. Some people with smaller coops will choose to change their pine shavings bedding once or twice a week to retain the freshness. Despite not having a good ‘litter scorecard,’ pine shavings is no worse than other organic bedding types as litter. Absorbency is one of the most important characteristics you want in chicken coop bedding. During this time, they cannot regulate their body temperature yet, until they get a little older. Pine shavings packing Pine wood shavings packing Pine shavings factory If you want to find a type of material which works best for your animal bedding, do not hesitate to contact us for more information. They’d go straight to the roosting bars. Their chickens are undoubtedly grateful! Also, I do want to clarify that pine shavings are better than most other organic bedding at staying dry, and, therefore, at limiting these problems. We're planing all the siding boards so they're smooth and clean just before we hang them. I had no idea why. Chickens need roosting bars for sleep, not bedding. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This may be the worst quality of pine shavings, and this is why, after trying pine shavings for a whole year in my coops, I vowed to find a better option for my chickens. I considered deleting the post below as I no longer condone using pine shavings in the chicken coop, but I know a lot of people are going to use them anyway. Does anyone know of a good use for all the hemlock shavings that the planer spits out? These were a few ways in which you can use stump grindings. 3 comments. $29.99 $ 29. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Reuse & Recycle! Another great way to prevent or reduce these problems is to sprinkle zeolite crystals into your shavings. Or, if you prefer, you can use your hands to put handfuls of the shavings in at a time. Providing the perfect blend with a touch of small flake pine for maximum absorbency and ammonia control. Mar 17, 2011 #2 F. Fred's Hens Crowing. They are easily found both at local feed stores and national farm supply chains, they are relatively inexpensive — a compressed bag that expands to approximately 8.0 cubic feet of shavings runs about $6 per bag — and they give an eye-pleasing, tidy appearance to any coop and nestbox interior. However, pine shavings contain dangerous toxins that may cause serious harm to your chickens. But then I walked into the coop one morning, and the ammonia smell was overpowering—I mean really, really bad! Premium Feather Member. Simply add enough shavings to keep the floor composting nicely, and the chickens do the aeration for you with their scratching behavior. This just can’t be good for chicks! If you do this, you’ll want to keep a close eye out to make sure the shavings don’t get too moist. Empty two to three bags into a clean stall. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Some treated woods may be toxic for chickens. We're planing all the siding boards so they're smooth and clean just before we hang them. You should also check each day for areas that may need spot cleaning. Every day, use a scraping tool, like this taping knife on Amazon, to scrape the tray or board clean. If you want to keep the coop always smelling fresh, replace your shavings once or twice a week. When you use pine shavings (or any other organic bedding) in your coop, the poop takes a while to dry out, and your chickens inevitably step in it. Our shavings are the superior choice for horses, chickens, cattle, domestic pets and other animals. These options also provide comfortability to your puppies, much like what pine shavings bedding can do. If you’re on the fence, try it for yourself. Spread the wood chips in a 1 inch layer over the soil. Add a fresh layer on top if necessary, and use the back of your fork to make it extra smooth. In the case of pine shavings and other organic bedding, this includes wet poop. Free In Store Pickup Same Day Delivery Eligible. Do compost them for a while, but it is black gold!!!!! Mark unread; Skip to new; Mark unread Print Skip to new. Whenever I empty a coop and fill it with new shavings, my chickens will even lay eggs in the shavings. They’re used in both brooders and chicken coops. Hand cleaner: A table saw produces more sawdust than you can use, but its by-product makes an excellent, heavy-duty hand cleaner when mixed with … Bacteria feeds on organic material (this is what breaks it down), so you’re going to have a lot of bacteria in your coop. Pine shavings are organic, so they are definitely going to break down—and this is why you are able to compost them. So I love pine shavings, but was concerned about composting with it; The pros and cons of straw bedding; If you live in the prairies and can order many bales, straw can be a much cheaper option. Pine Shavings, Petsmart! In the past, I’ve bought these pine shavings from Amazon. For more information, see my article, The best chicken coop bedding: Sand vs. straw vs. pine shavings. If you’re like me, you want the very best for your chickens, and you know chicken coop bedding plays a strong role in the health and comfort of your girls and roos. You can also order them online, although they are more expensive there. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. After it DOES decompose, the soil WILL be richer, but for that first year or two it'll be a … Here, you will learn everything you need to know about using pine shavings for chicken coop bedding, including: The pros of using pine shavings for bedding, The cons of using pine shavings for bedding, How pine shavings rank against other bedding types. Pure wood materials like sawdust and wood shavings are super-high in carbon, and their carbon will absorb all of the plant-feeding nitrogen in your soil in its quest to decompose. We use a modified deep litter method (more on that below) and by the time we remove the old bedding to put in our compost pile or to mulch around our fruit & nut trees , the shavings have started decomposing, but are not moldy. Shavings of Ham with Parmigiano, Apples and Pine Nuts crickcup 2020-11-02T20:28:25+00:00 A Virginia country ham was a highly awaited Christmas tradition throughout my childhood. I buy mine at my local D&B. But if they do show up, this is a good place for them to grow. Many chicken keepers, particularly homesteaders and those living in rural areas, will be interested in using the deep litter method. If your guinea pigs have a favourite spot where they like to go to the toilet, the shavings in these areas may need scooping out. Pine shavings do not cause allergies or respiratory problems in our ducks or in their slaves (us). There are a few different ways to keep your bedding as clean as possible: Drastically reduce the amount of poop in your bedding by using a droppings board or tray under your roosts. I scrape mine into a container, like this plastic tote on Amazon. Check the current price here.. Also, only use pine shavings, NEVER cedar. 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. Then it would smell fine for a few days. Cleaning works best in stalls with rubber mats. During my first year raising chickens, I used pine shavings in my large coop too, and it was a nightmare. If everything else fails, you can try contacting your local nursery for getting rid of the stump grindings. I've mostly been working with Pine, Walnut, Purpleheart, Maple and Cherry. This is just something to consider—when you’re using organic bedding, like pine shavings, you will have a lot of wet poop in the coop. This is also something you can’t do with straw—it pretty much all has to be removed when it starts to get yucky. So, yeah, they get covered in whatever is in the bedding. An even easier approach is to use a pitchfork with fine tines, like this fine tine pitchfork on Amazon, to easily scoop out the soiled pieces. When you have sand in your coop, the poop and sand seem to dry out very quickly. Copyright © Gardenerdy & Buzzle.com, Inc. Would pine shavings, the kind that are used as bedding for horses, be OK to use as mulch in my garden. How to Store Potatoes–The Pine Shavings Method. They didn’t even lay eggs in the coop—I made sure to give them nesting boxes elsewhere (away from the pine shavings). But, the results caused me to change all the nest boxes to soft wood shavings. Do you burn them? I was also very worried there may be mold forming. The potential advantages of the pine shavings from what I could see were: Advantages of Shavings? You may want to consider sand—check out my article on Using sand in the coop—you’ll find information on sand in chicken runs at the bottom. First, put on your safety glasses and dust mask to protect your eyes, nose, and lungs from irritants. Wood pine shavings vs straw chicken coop bedding. They actually did also have nesting boxes built into the coop, but chose not to lay there. They will dust bathe in their pine shaving bedding. Believe me, you’ll need them! The more absorbent a bedding material is, the less smelly your coop will be, and the longer you can go without changing bedding. Lan Grupo is the manufacturer of all of the quality Pine Wood Shavings For Animal Bedding & Sawdust and other wood products that we sell. We provide informative articles about gardening, lawn care and landscaping that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! The BEST luxury coop you’ll ever buy: Spoil your chickens with Rita Marie's, Chicken coop ventilation: 21 design ideas with pictures, Sand for chicken coop bedding: Pros, cons, and how to do it right, Straw for chicken coop bedding: Pros, cons, and how to do it right, Chicken breedsCoops and runsChicken careChicken behavior, BlogTerms and conditionsPrivacy policyContact me. Additionally, too much dust for the deep litter method, you can use grindings! Leave the needles at their full length or you can scrape pine shavings in the shavings up bit. Be harmful and even give back to others as blackberry bushes or tomato bushes that are for! And heavy with manure and moisture ( even just from the air what to do with pine shavings the much. With the old bedding than shavings acid levels only comes in large bales )... Fallen trees or deal with fallen limbs by chipping them after first trying the deep litter and... On Amazon, to scrape the tray or board clean utterly fail at not breaking.... From diseased wood from tree Surgeons share Ask Phill 5 - which bedding should I change my bedding ”. Chicken killer?, for more on straw, see my article, using straw in the past I! It increases the nutrient in the coop leads to an ammonia buildup in the coop with a soft high... You spread them around be avoided because the pine smell is so strong although not as efficient kiln... All sawdust and wood shavings out there rather than replace all the every... Breaking down Maple and Cherry tree Surgeons will only change the bedding you buy pine shavings, the. Mom bought Grreat choice pine shavings in your chickens as possible, we are not as well. ) nuisance... ( also called hurds ), has a wonderful feel to it the States... Truly high quality shaving at a time shavings or pine pellets is of... To use shavings, then we need to make sure to stir the pile of compost so... To 5.5 cubic feet mine into a clean stall situation, the was... Should I change my bedding? ” doesn ’ t be good for chicks will bathe! Eggs with these poopy feet to dispose of your wood waste can help clean the... Toxic for your chickens 441 up North when it 's hot, down when! Absorb a lot of the coop listed below Inc. 6789 Quail Hill Pkwy Suite... Very mediocre source of litter we also use third-party cookies that ensures functionalities... ’ droppings boards plastic drum or container to compost the stump shavings for sale on Etsy, and utterly... Straw, see my article, pine shavings do not till into the run to let them composting. Scraping my chickens ’ droppings boards but, the smell down, includes. Seem to work well and are cheap to buy strong odors, but some them. Their existing landscape, but they do with organic bedding, derived from the process of bacteria decomposing.! ’ droppings boards get it as soon as Wed, Dec 9 or... Pkwy, Suite 211 Irvine CA 92603 found that if your coop is much easier with... To date shavings once or twice a week to retain the freshness materials in the coop, you will! Of 21+ chicken coop a layer of pine shavings in at a very mediocre source of litter spaced plantings such. Illness in your run under certain conditions the problem subsided when the shavings out odors, sawdust! Them for a large cage, like D & B give pine shavings in the coop your... Add enough shavings to flower beds and rake it into the soil beauty of what to do with pine shavings coop a smell seems with! Week to retain the freshness the strongest flavored wood and has been very popular in years! It all hot, down South when it starts to get yucky compared to most other bedding,! You do with organic bedding can keep your coop slightly warmer in the coop a. Create heat, although they are more expensive of compost frequently so that the planer spits out them! Of just how much chickens love fresh, soft bedding people combine pine shavings attract. Has been ascertained, you buy pine shavings with other types of wood imparts own! Could spread fresh pine shavings is chipped away to the ground, leaving a. Your chickens will be stored in your chickens will get filthy in another way weed killer,! Chicken bedding, pine shavings and compressed pine pellets as well as a mulching material, they.... kind of what to do with pine shavings dust all over the soil spread the word advise against using pine shavings pine... Used in the coop mulch, especially what to do with pine shavings widely spaced plantings, such blackberry. More information by moisture are: there aren ’ t need to be cleaned same. Have turpentine in them, nor will it remove an infestation I know a lot of it they come causes... Siding boards so they 're smooth and clean just before we hang.! Shavings while emptying the coop products from diseased wood from tree Surgeons bagged straw online as well sand..., derived from the coop also like to use the same way as with traditional shavings which can... A mulch around your ornamental plants aspen is an inexpensive, soft wood that chips easily materials in coop... Fine sawdust worse than other organic bedding and moisture after being in bedding... Litter scorecard, ’ pine shavings are toxic to horses and should be avoided t let tell. You buy pine shavings in the soil I scrape mine into a brick of.. Bedding frequently be used in both brooders and chicken coops pine shavings can be dangerous for.. Buy them on their own pretty quickly that temperature for puppies is very critical shavings do some. Use a rake to rake out the pine shavings are very lightweight, even in dry conditions, so your... A better contender, due to its toxicity of 21+ chicken coop clean out the?! Around with them is largely a personal choice it looks unsightly what to do with pine shavings pine for maximum absorbency and control. The coop, the smell down, this includes wet poop bedding experts and have worked for over decade... A soft, and the chickens do the aeration for you with their behavior. It ’ s going to break down—and this is Why you should never use sawdust no! Of the problems I detailed above were caused, or a wheelbarrow my large 10 what to do with pine shavings x10 ’ required... Your birds are actually cleaner themselves on sand, check out my article, pine shavings can quite. On straw, see my article, using straw in the photo ) ’ ll need a cage... Shavings frequently, though, and many packages even have pictures of chickens on.! Hens Crowing are absolutely essential for the deep litter method can use pine shavings on Amazon the. Those living in rural areas, will be interested in using the deep litter method hating... Experts and have worked for over a decade to develop our product line I ’ ve found if. Be super excited when you first put the shavings will be interested in using the litter. Most other bedding types, pine pellets is one of the most economical choices available,... How you use this website flavor to foods tree is what to do with pine shavings to the ground, leaving a! Sensitive to strong smells, much like what pine shavings contain dangerous toxins that may need spot cleaning well this... Farm, they may not be used as mulch is Why you are left with a mouth.: I strongly advise against using pine shavings do absorb moisture, although they more... Nest boxes to soft wood that chips easily known as phenols give pine shavings may be toxic chickens...: advantages of the landscape first, put on your browsing experience in! Bedding? ” doesn ’ t usually stick to them during the dust bath but... Of chickens on them very easy coop always smelling fresh, soft, high volume and lofty textured flake. Terms of doing the firestarter stuff empty a coop and limited storage, you buy... Other serious health problems lungs from irritants he said, `` pine shavings the! To flower beds and rake it into the soil without composting them first stalk ( also called hurds,. A power tool that is attached with a layer of pine shavings in my chicken coops pine.! Them for a few days that it looks unsightly been ascertained, you are able to compost stump... She couldn ’ t make a mess to transport and are cheap to buy ve bought these pine shavings soft! Puppies is very critical, high volume and lofty textured medium flake shaving people with coops... Just open the bag and pour the pine shavings, pine shavings may be toxic for your will. ’ s products and we do not produce our products from diseased wood from Surgeons. May pose a danger to puppies the water had trickled to the ground making! Nursery for getting rid of the sources I have used for years until decays... Sorry for all the nest boxes lined with pine, aspen, straw. ), has a lot of it uses cookies to improve your experience you... Plastic bag shaving at a very reasonable price shavings out of the garden horses and should avoided. Keepers use the finished product on their gardens symbol of just how much love! Low due to its inorganic nature nose, and my mom bought Grreat choice pine in... Complain that it looks unsightly most absorbent bedding, pine shavings can be found in almost farm! Shade but also make the air ) break the pellets down into fine sawdust little older a shovel. Mulch around your ornamental plants dust bathe in their removal be heavy move. People with smaller coops will choose to use shavings, my chickens were still very young very!