Building an "artifical" nest

[ant888]

I've raised 3 batches of chicks and one single using a towel.....but it depends on how you want to use the towel.  You can't very well just wad it up and stuff it in a corner...they'll smother themselves or manage to get hung up in the fringes or find some other way to do themselves in, not to mention it's not warm enough.  @Jensownzoo
 is absolutely right about them finding ways to kill themselves.  

I was thinking about making a nest using the towel. In the shape of a nest. By the way, can I make my own hay?

 

[Blooie]

Well, I guess you can make a nest out of towels but they aren't warm, will get ridiculously poopy and I'd never do that in a million years. Chicks need heat and they don't produce enough on their own. As far as making your own hay, I guess you could cut down some tall grasses and let them dry IF you knew they hadn't been treated with any chemical pesticides, etc.

 

[ant888]

Well, I guess you can make a nest out of towels but they aren't warm, will get ridiculously poopy and I'd never do that in a million years. Chicks need heat and they don't produce enough on their own.  As far as making your own hay, I guess you could cut down some tall grasses and let them dry IF you knew they hadn't been treated with any chemical pesticides, etc.  

Besides getting dirty? Will it do damage? I usually check on them frequently.

 

[ant888]

I have a brooder lamp, so heat is not a problem.

 

[Blooie]

Then if you have heat, go ahead and make your nest. But be forewarned, it will get gross and stinky, hold moisture and smother chicks, Your call.

 

[ant888]

I'll pass. You're points are very valid, so I'm going to listen. No nest.