Camphor leaves for the deep litter method

[royarose2e]

Hi All-
I have 5 chicks and we are planning to do deep litter.

Can I use camphor leaves as a part of the litter. I know the wood is bad, but what about the leaves?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[CoopCrazy]

Hoping someone can help you out

 

[Carpe DiHen]

It is a very aromatic and might be too strong. This info is on the concentrate, but could be effects from continual use of the leave over time???? Don't know, just did a bit or reading... Here is some info:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/campho13.html

Medicinal Action and Uses---Camphor has a strong, penetrating, fragrant odour, a bitter, pungent taste, and is slightly cold to the touch like menthol leaves; locally it is an irritant, numbs the peripheral sensory nerves, and is slightly antiseptic; it is not readily absorbed by the mucous membrane, but is easily absorbed by the subcutaneous tissue- it combines in the body with glucuronic acid, and in this condition is voided by the urine. Experiments on frogs show a depressant action to the spinal column, no motor disturbance, but a slow increasing paralysis; in mankind it causes convulsions, from the effect it has on the motor tract of the brain; it stimulates the intellectual centres and prevents narcotic drugs taking effect, but in cases of nervous excitement it has a soothing and quieting result. Authorities vary as to its effect on blood pressure; some think it raises it, others take an opposite view; but it has been proved valuable as an excitant in cases of heart failure, whether due to diseases or as a result of infectious fevers, such as typhoid and pneumonia, not only in the latter case as a stimulant to circulation, but as preventing the growth of pneumococci. Camphor is used in medicine internally for its calming influence in hysteria, nervousness and neuralgia, and for serious diarrhoea, and externally as a counter-irritant in rheumatisms, sprains bronchitis, and in inflammatory conditions, and sometimes in conjunction with menthol and phenol for heart failure; it is often given hypodermically, 3 to 5 grains dissolved in 20 to 30 minims of sterile Olive oil - the effect will last about two hours. In nervous diseases it may be given in substance or in capsules or in spirit; dose 2 to 5 grains. Its great value is in colds, chills, and in all inflammatory complaints; it relieves irritation of the sexual organs.

 

[LynneP]

I agree- too risky! Birds are exceptionally sensitive to respiratory problems.

 

[royarose2e]

Thank you! It is very strong, and I think we've decided just to say "no thanks" in case it might have some adverse effects. Why take the risk, right?