best bedding for chicks

[zach]

whats the best bedding for chicks? im geting my order next tuesday and have every thing but that ready.

thanks

 

[kstaven]

Pine shavings are the most common. BUT, you want something like paper towels or rubber shelf liner over it for the first few days. It gives chicks time to figure out what food is and not eat the shavings, which can cause problems.

 

[GwenFarms]

I like corn cob bedding. You don't have any dangers of them eating it, its absorbant and easy to work with. I use a kitty little scoop to scoop out dirty spots each day and add a handfull here and there. Its really good stuff. You can find it at TSC.

 

[Katy]

I use either the rubber shelf lining or puppy pads.

 

[chickenranchwife]

straw works too if you have it available.

 

[Renegade]

I use alfalfa pellets since I already feed them to the other animals around here. I found they make great bedding for chicks. They are absorbant, give good footing, and you never have to worry if they eat any.

Donna

 

[greenmulberry]

I have been using newspaper for my week old chicks. I understand that brand new chicks can slip on newspaper, but is there any reason not to use it if they are older? They seem to do just great on it so I wonder if there is a reason I need to switch. It is so convenient and easy for me to change out when dirty.

 

[zach]

with corn cob or straw can i use it from day one? im kinda leaning to corn cob if my tsc has any

thanks my order is comeing tuesday so i have a little time but not much

 

[scgamecock]

I have always used wood shavings until this last time.I decided to get some sand and put in a cardboard box and it worked wonderfully.It was natural for the chicks to walk and they loved it.If they ingest some it doesn't hurt them cause it can be used as grit.After a couple of weeks I put them in the brooder with pine straw and they loved bedding down in it.I will probably use this method from now on.