Straw vs Wood Chips for chicks

[Newchickenguy84]

There are a lot of threads on bedding when older. I was wondering what about chicks. Is it better to use wood chips which I used for my first set of chicks. Or can I use straw which I have a lot of.

 

[21hens-incharge]

They tend to try and eat the bedding.

Straw can cause impacted crops more often than shavings.

I use shavings.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

I use newspaper and or pine shavings for little chicks. Then straw sometimes for older chicks as long as I have grit in their pen too.

 

[BlessedmamaAELE]

Ive also started seeing articles and things on Pinterest about sand bedding. Which seems like an interesting dual
Purpose.
Personally I use pine shavings. I’ve also heard that straw is susceptible to growing harmful mold quickly when moist.

 

[lutherpug]

Pine shavings are better for baby chicks.

 

[Newchickenguy84]

Sand??? What type of sand can you provide a link @BlessedmamaAELE? Guess I'll go get some wood chips then. My new comers get here in a week so starting to prepare.

 

[lutherpug]

Sand??? What type of sand can you provide a link @BlessedmamaAELE? Guess I'll go get some wood chips then. My new comers get here in a week so starting to prepare.

Don't use sand in your brooder. Some people use sand in their coops or runs. You'll find people who absolutely love it and people who absolutely hate it. I am firmly in the latter camp, personally. But, that's for another day-it isn't an appropriate substrate for chicks. Get the large flake pine chips at your local feed store and you'll be set for your chicks!

 

[starri33]

Hi, I have used pine shavings and have discovered puppy pads, they work wonderful in the brooder. I use the contractors multi-purpose sand in the coop under the roosts, works like a chicken litter box, I go in and scoop it like you would a litter box for a cat.. I love it. So much easier to keep clean.

 

[BlessedmamaAELE]

Sand??? What type of sand can you provide a link @BlessedmamaAELE? Guess I'll go get some wood chips then. My new comers get here in a week so starting to prepare.

Here ya go!

https://104homestead.com/sand-in-chicken-coop/

 

[BlessedmamaAELE]

Sand??? What type of sand can you provide a link @BlessedmamaAELE? Guess I'll go get some wood chips then. My new comers get here in a week so starting to prepare.

But I also agree... save the sand for the coop. Large pine shavings are best in the brooder!