Best Bedding To Be Used With Baby Chicks????

[MarissaFriedman]

I have heard a lot of people say that newspaper, hay,straw, etc are not good for baby chicks. I am wondering what everyone eles uses and what seems to work the best. thanks!!

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

I use alfalfa hay when they are a few days old--I like the ubeveb textured surface and feel it is good for prenting splay leg and good for working their legs and feet. Also, if they nibble on it, it's good for them.

 

[MarissaFriedman]

Thank you for the information. I will have to look into it. I really apprecite it!

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

uneven texture--lol

 

[classicsredone]

We put down pellet bedding, and a layer of paper towel on top for the first few days. After the paper towels get soiled, we take those off and just use the pellets. The pellet bedding is easy for them to walk on, doesn't stink, and isn't has messy as shavings.

 

[risadawn]

The feed store I got my chicks from recommended pine (NOT cedar) shavings. I've read a lot of people use those and put paper towels over them for the first few days. It's messy and dusty, but my girls seem happy.

 

[CAjerseychick]

Straw from day one-- not sure if this is different from hay (we use rice straw whats left over after harvest.. cheap at $7 a bale)-- works great for us...

 

[kteel]

We've been using pine shavings since we got out babies last week. I used paper towels over it for the first couple of days. The girls seem to be fine and we have had no problems

 

[TXchickmum]

We used soft, white bath towels in our brooders. -had three chicks in one and four bantam cicks in another. I would scoop out the poop several times per day, and change the towels two to three times per day. (a bit of laundry going on, here) They really seemed to like the fluffy towels, especially the warm ones fresh from the dryer. -didn't worry about them ingesting anything potentially harmful. (did tuck the corners of the towels under so the chicks didn't root underneath them and get covered up) After we moved the chicks to their coops, we threw the "chicken towels" into the washer, added bleach, washed on hot - and you'd never know anychicks were on them.

 

[MarissaFriedman]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the replies. I decided to go with Pine pellets. We visited tractor supply today and picked up the food and feeder along with the pine pellets. We figured it was about time to start setting things up for the chicks. They will be hatching soon. Anyways the girl at the store told me to wet the pine pellets so they dont roll around under the chicks feet and cause them to get a broken leg. The pellets absorb moisture i guess which makes them soft. I also plan on covering the pellets with paper towel for the first couple days. The pellets were a little more expresive then the shavings but in the long run I think it will make a better choice. They also absorb odor so I dont have to worry about a stinky box. Lol. Thanks for the help and look forward to updating once the babies are born
-Marissa