Bedding for chicks

[Bigfatchicken]

My chicks are now two weeks old and are kicking almost all of their bedding out of their cage and I was wondering if I could replace the shavings with hay, so it will not go every where and get into their food and water.

 

[Kelly G]

I've been using Equine Fresh - a pelleted horse bedding (that I use for my horses) for this year's chicks...and I am VERY pleased! Keeps down the smell, the dust, and they are not inlined to "taste" it.

It is compressed pine and safe for chicks - I'm loving it! Here is a picture of my bantams on it:

 

[TheFarmMama]

From our experience, hay is entirely too dusty to use inside and especially around small chicks. We've used fresh straw which definitely stays inside the cage but it can be a bit dusty as well. Sand has worked great for us and they really don't kick much out. You can use a reptile cage scooper to sift the little droppings out and keep it clean for them as well. Hope that helps!

 

[Bigfatchicken]

I have never came across those pine pellets before, where did you buy this?

 

[TheFarmMama]

You can buy them at Tractor Supply or most feed stores

 

[Kim_1970]

Quote:
Did you use this from day one or did you keep them on paper towels a few days first before switching them to the equine fresh?

 

[SaltyMomma]

Quote:
I plan on using sand in my coop, but didn't know it was ok for the brooder as well. Do you use it from day 1? Thanks!

I may have to check out those pellets as well.. anything that keeps down the dust would be great!

 

[Kelly G]

Quote:
Did you use this from day one or did you keep them on paper towels a few days first before switching them to the equine fresh?

I have used these since they arrived at two days old (and this particular group is all bantam). I did not use the paper towels as they were not eating the pellets

and they had no trouble negotiating their way all over the place in there!

One bag is $5.99 and covered 16square feet easily.

 

[Kim_1970]

Great! I am going to give this a try.
This will be my first chicks ever. I was going to get pullets but decided I would like to try and raise my own from babies.
I am waiting for our local TSC to get them in this week or next.

I have a large microwave oven box, a screen for over the top, the chick feeder and waterer that TSC carries, and a 75 watt heat bulb.
I need to get the equine pellets, feed, marbles for the waterer so they dont drown and the lamp to hold the bulb.

I hope I am not forgetting anything! Its scary and exciting at the same time.

 

[Kim_1970]

BTW KellyG, what is the green stuff in that little bowl in your pic?