can i use newspaper for the floor of my brooder ?

[Limet8]

Quote:
I've floor brooded chicks at least a dozen of the last 25 year and used newspapers every time--even for duckling and goslings--never a problem except they shred it up and it ends up in their waterer and feeders. Right now I have 32 6-week old chicks on newspapers and they're doing well.

I have a problem using shavings with really young chicks since I feel they eat the shavings and not starter feed. If it doesn't kill them at least, since they still haven't ingested grit, it may slow down their assimilation of food and growth. I never put shavings down until the 8th week or so.
Thank you for the advice. I am looking for a cheaper way to cover the floor of my brooder but I have heard so many bad things about newspaper.

 

[Fierlin1182]

We've always used newspaper on the floor of our brooders (2 week + old chicks) and there's been no issue. I agree though that the chicks probably need to find their feet before you put them on newspaper.

We had a massive pile of old papers that has pretty much all gone now with the raising of our latest chicks. The paper needs changing very often, but then again we have heaps of it.