Carpet squares instead of shavings

[Hambone]

I have some indoor outdoor carpet tiles. I was thinking about using them in my brooder instead of shavings. What do you think?

 

[kelseygirl707]

Quote:
I would use a towel over carpet squares. The carpet would just get the poop ground into it, and eventually smell really bad. If you use a towel, you can just shake it out outside then wash it. Easy Peezy.

 

[gryeyes]

Nah, carpet would get really nasty pretty quickly. Besides, the shavings are very inexpensive, AND you get to watch the chicks scratch dance in it, dust bathe themselves, etc.

 

[Hambone]

But you can't put day olds in shavings so I was thinking maybe the carpet squares until the shavings. What age do you let the chicks in shavings.

 

[kelseygirl707]

Quote:
Mine go in shavings from the minute I take them from the incubator, and I have never had a problem. The only thing I do differently the first few days is sprinkle food on a paper towel, so they get what food is. But just today I didn't have shavings and didn't like running to the store, so I put them on a towel (Something I have read other bycers doing). And they are happy and it seems like it will be a lot easier to clean.

 

[Hambone]

ok. I'll put them in shavings from the start. Sounds good. Thanks.

 

[TipsyDog]

Quote:
I like to put paper towels over the shavings for the first few days so that they don't eat the shavings. I would be concerned with carpet for two reasons: 1) is there any pile or pieces that the chicks can swallow? and 2) carpet emits fumes and with a heat lamp I would worry that the fumes would build up enough to gas them. They are small and sensitive and low down to the chemicals in carpets, so they could easily be overcome by something we humans can't see or smell.

Good luck!

 

[Lotsapaints]

I too tried the towel and for just out of the brooder I like it because they are in the house for one day then go out in the barn brooder with shavings. It depends on your situation