I now have close to 40 chicks in my house and my husband is about to kill me because of the smell. Anyone put their babies on pine chips at a few days old? I usually use paper towels but unexpectedly 16 chicks (that I hatched for a friend) are stayin for a little while and I'm not set up for all these babies ( as far as smell goes lol).
I have before yes. But shavings won't be any better smell-wise. They start to stink as soon as they get wet from the waterer.
Best smell-free brooder is one with a wire bottom so you can pull out a tray and dump the poo daily if needed.