Brooder bedding question re: puppy pads/paper towels--slick just like newspaper??

[Devorah]

I do suggest larger flake for chicks, until they're at least old enough to not eat a lot of shavings. But many people brood on pine shavings of any size.

I no longer use paper towels with chicks. That was just indoors (when I was brooding in a bath tub!) for easier clean up. I now brood outdoors so chicks are on the run floor, with extra shavings on top just to make it softer.

Thank you!

 

[kurby22]

I use puppy pads for the first weekish and then I do pine shavings over top of puppy pads. They do a great job soaking up spills and smell…and then they help me roll up the dirty shavings easily and replace! Then I go to just shavings when they start destroying the pad and trying to eat it!

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Puppy pads have a textured surface (or else dogs wouldn't really want to use them either), and same with paper towels.

That said, I just go with large flake shavings or I've done shavings over paper towels. I also offer some grit from the time I get them (at 2-3 days old) as I know chicks will eat some shavings, even if I get the coarsest flakes available.

Uw, I did not know I could give them grit that young; thanks. I'll get some next pay day.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

I use puppy pads for the first weekish and then I do pine shavings over top of puppy pads. They do a great job soaking up spills and smell…and then they help me roll up the dirty shavings easily and replace! Then I go to just shavings when they start destroying the pad and trying to eat it!

Oh, I had not planned for pads under shavings. Was gonna go from pads (down now) to shavings when I quit the puppy pads.

 

[kurby22]

Oh, I had not planned for pads under shavings. Was gonna go from pads (down now) to shavings when I quit the puppy pads.

Yeah I like using them because chicks are naughty and messy and spill a lot, and my brooder is in the house so easy cleanup is ideal!

 

[Kanekoded]

I always use horse pine bedding due to the shavings being much larger and less dusty - I've never had any issues.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

I always use horse pine bedding due to the shavings being much larger and less dusty - I've never had any issues.

Interesting. Wonder if they have some at TSC or my local store? Gonna ask next time I stop in for chick feed. Thanks.

 

[Kanekoded]

Interesting. Wonder if they have some at TSC or my local store? Gonna ask next time I stop in for chick feed. Thanks.

This is the brand/type I use:

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/595378-guardian-horse-bedding-premium-flake-pine-shavings.html

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

This is the brand/type I use:

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/595378-guardian-horse-bedding-premium-flake-pine-shavings.html

Dang $15 shipping. No can do but thank you.

 

[Kanekoded]

Dang $15 shipping. No can do but thank you.

Oh yeah, I agree with you there. There's a lot of stores that carry it, I just happen to get it from Farm & Fleet. I buy it by the truckload.