a question about walking on floors

[Fur & Feathers]

hi everyone,
have been unable to find an answer through a good google search so have come to the most experienced place on our fluttery ones.

am well aware that chicks can get leg problems from walking on slippery floors and had made sure the brooder had a backup anti slip mat incase they had dug away all the shavings [anti cedar,anti dust].
does the slippery flooring rule also apply to dry but smooth floors such as laminate flooring?
also,is there a rough age when it is safe to allow them to walk on laminate flooring or similar?

the 'chickrew' [

] are a very curious bunch and enjoy time out of the brooder,and woud love to eventualy let them on the floor.


thanks in advance!!

 

[boheme]

Well, I don't know for *sure* because I'm new to this myself, but we have hardwood, laminate, and ceramic flooring and I didn't let our chicks walk on the bare floors until they were 4-5 weeks old. And then I watched carefully to see if they seemed unsteady or "slippy" at all. They're all around 10 weeks old now (been outside for a while) and not a single leg problem, so I guess it was okay. But yeah, I think there's a reason to be cautious with hard floors because even my cats slip around on them when trying to run.

 

[Northwind]

Yep, I would also think that slippery floors of any sort should be avoided, even newspaper when the chicks are very young. However we raised chicks from 2-3 weeks on part newspaper and they were fine.

 

[nurse_turtle]

If they are several days old and seem strong and healthy. Place them on the laminate and see how they do. If everyone seems stable without any slipping around, I say let 'em play.