Walnut sawdust

[TexGardenGirl]

We have been given 3 trash bags of mostly walnut and some cherry sawdust. It seems clear we shouldn’t use it for chicken litter or mulch, but we’re wondering if it’s ok to use as flooring in our rabbit building. The rabbits are all in cages 3-4 feet above ground and wouldn’t have any direct contact. We just want to put something down to absorb water and reduce mud. Do you think there would be any risk of toxicity to the bunnies just from being near walnut or cherry sawdust?
Thanks everyone!

 

[Olbunny]

Been a while but if memory serves. Walnut is not used for bedding. It has hollow grain cells, open grained wood. That can be a good environment for certain molds that can be toxic. As a woodworker I always wore a mask when cutting it. Which can release those molds. And not recommend for bedding because the molds can become airborne. If your walking around on it it could cause an issue with both you and your animals. I would suggest to not use it for this. But could go on the compost pile to add a woody fiber.

 

[TexGardenGirl]

Thank you for your quick reply! I was leaning toward the compost solution myself, just wanted to get more input.

 

[eco2pia]

Actually, walnut shavings are not great for plants either, they contain a natural herbicide--but for that reason they make pretty good path coverings outdoors if you have a muddy spot where you don't want anything to grow for a while. In a compost heap they will eventually break down and be fine, but it might mean you have to wait a little longer to use the compost--depending on what kind of pile you have.

 

[TexGardenGirl]

Actually, walnut shavings are not great for plants either, they contain a natural herbicide--but for that reason they make pretty good path coverings outdoors if you have a muddy spot where you don't want anything to grow for a while. In a compost heap they will eventually break down and be fine, but it might mean you have to wait a little longer to use the compost--depending on what kind of pile you have.

Yes thanks, I had checked that out and I’m planning on composting it very well before using on plants. Definitely not using as mulch. I wish I had some spots that need weed killing, it’d be cool to try that and see how well it actually kills weeds. But wait -does anyone know if it kills poison ivy? I’ve certainly got some of that … This might be the thing to experiment with.
Thanks!

 

[Tommy]

Before I learned about the issues with walnut I put some shavings in a rabbit mom’s birthing box. She wasted no time in removing all of the shavings. I tried other types of wood shavings and she was fine with them. I wonder how she knew to get rid the walnut.

 

[eco2pia]

Before I learned about the issues with walnut I put some shavings in a rabbit mom’s birthing box. She wasted no time in removing all of the shavings. I tried other types of wood shavings and she was fine with them. I wonder how she knew to get rid the walnut.

I am betting that they can smell it, just like we can smell toxic things if they are really strong. "gross" smells are often a form of danger signalling.