[JaK]

My cat has been poorly and was meant to stay in the house, she wouldn't use the litter tray though, I had to let her out in the end. Anyway I now have a nice big bag of unused cat litter and wondered if I could tip it out into the chicken run (the run is dry and covered). What do you think?

[Casey76]

What kind of litter is it?

If it is the wood-based kind, I think it would be OK, but if it is the clay based, or crystal, then I think it would be more harmful.

[JaK]

It's the clay stuff, i wont risk it then. Perhaps we can make a pizza oven out of it instead??? 

[Lindeggs]

  I like the pizza oven idea!  Just don't tell your guests that their dinner was cooked in kitty litter!

[viettaclark]

Why can't you use the clay type? It's just earth (probably with deoderisers) and will be scratched about just like cats do!!!!

[nic_28]

would they not swallow it?

[Lindeggs]

I wouild like to know the exact ingredients in the litter before making a decision about putting it out in the chicken run.  Yes, they will scratch in it and yes, they are likely to try swallowing some.

Some types of kitty litter are designed to be super-absorbant and swell up when they get wet so I wouldn't advise putting that somewhere that it could be swallowed.  But if the litter was just plain clay it probably wouldn't be a problem.

JaK, can you give us the name of the product and/or link us to a website with more info about its ingredients?

I'm a very frugal person and hate sending perfectly good stuff to the landfill so I would either use it for some purpose around the home or garden, or donate it to the RSPCA.

[JaK]

This is the brand of litter I have but I cannot find a website for the product/company.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mars-Petfoods-Thomas-Cat-Litter/dp/B0037XNXIS

[joyfull]

this is made by Mars pet foods a division of the same company that make mars bars. The pet foods division headquarters is based at their Waltham on the Wolds depot near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire (formally the Pedigree pet foods depot - home of chum and chappie etc) although I do believe this product is manufactured at their Birstall depot. So you may want to contact them before using it in your chicken run. Their contact page can be found here:-

http://www.mars.com/uk/en/contact-us/petcare-faqs.aspx

[Lindeggs]

this is made by Mars pet foods a division of the same company that make mars bars....

Well!  You learn something new every day! 

[joyfull]

it's amazing how diverse some of these big companies are isn't it 

[JaK]

If I ever finda crunchy bit in a mars bar I'll know what it is then 

We also hate things going to waste so we have decided that the pizza/bread oven is they way to go.