Are pine shavings ok for brooder?

[Mgui35]

I have newspaper in the brooder but Im worried about spraddle legs. Is it ok to use pine shavings? I bought a compressed bale and Im itching to try it out. The chicks just hatched today.

 

[Fred's Hens]

It is all I use, exclusively. $5 a compressed bale at TSC and other Farm supply type stores. It goes a looooong way.

 

[henney penny]

I use paper towels the first week then pine shavings after that

 

[Talihofarms]

Pine shavings from farm store is all we ever use. 8cu ft bags compressed.
1-2"deep in brooder.


just my .02

 

[blefky]

Quote:
x 2, otherwise they sometimes eat the shavings when first hatched. After a week or two, not a problem.

 

[Fred's Hens]

They eat saw dust, for sure. Usually, the coarser chips are not an issue.

 

[quercus21]

I use news paper for the first couple of days, after that I use the wood shaving/chips but no saw dust.

 

[bantyhen'sfriend]

I've always used pine shavings from day one and have never had an issue.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Straight pine shavings for me as well. No paper towels or newspaper.

 

[kristim23]

I have read that some people who use newspaper for the first few weeks spray it lightly with water first, and let it dry before putting it down in the brooder. It supposedly makes it less slippery. I think I might try it when my chicks arrive. If it doesn't work, I can always toss in some shavings instead.