Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hi everyone, Im really concerned about my flock and hoping for some advice.

I recently bought pine shavings from a local ranch to use in my coop and run since the weather has gotten colder here in North Carolina. I didnt get them from a store, just directly from the ranch, and I didnt think much of it at the time.

Not long after introducing the new bedding, my chickens started showing signs of illnessrunny noses, foamy eyes, and just not acting like themselves. I started them on Tylosin Powder, and were on day 3 of treatment now, but Im not seeing any improvement.

Now Im wonderingcould the pine shavings be the cause? Could they be releasing dust or chemicals that are irritating my birds? Has anyone had a similar experience with bedding causing respiratory issues?

Id really appreciate any advice on what I should do next!

I always use hemp bedding because it's super absorbent and low in dust. If you can get some, it might be worth a try to see if your chickens improve.

Have you noticed if they are sneezing or gasping for air? If so, they might have a more serious respiratory illness like mycoplasma or infectious bronchitis. The shavings could be making it worse, but they might not be the root cause.

Some pine shavings contain aromatic oils that can cause respiratory distress in chickens. Did the shavings have a strong pine smell when you brought them in? If so, they could be affecting your flock's breathing.

If you have any diatomaceous earth in the coop, that could also be making things worse. It's great for pests but can be very dusty and harsh on their lungs when combined with wood shavings.

You might want to take one of your chickens to a vet if possible. If they're still not improving after Tylosin, it could be something more than just irritation from the bedding.

Since you're already using Tylosin and not seeing improvement, I would take a closer look at their environment. Dusty bedding can worsen respiratory infections, so try switching to something less dusty for now.

Hope they start feeling better soon! Let us know if switching the bedding helps. It's always frustrating when something simple like bedding ends up causing problems.

If you're set on using pine, make sure it's kiln-dried and free of dust. Kiln-dried pine shavings have fewer aromatic oils and are much safer for chickens.

I would remove the shavings ASAP and give your chickens plenty of fresh air. If they're inside a closed coop, increase ventilation to help clear out any lingering fumes.