Changing from shavings to sand in the brooder.

[ninabeast]

I have read up on the subject here exhaustively. Shavings are the hands-down favourite, and that's how I prepared my 30" x 48" brooder for my chicks arrival. (These are my first ever chicks; they are one week old today.) The vast majority here say shavings, with a small, vocal minority touting the benefits of sand. Well, I couldn't stand the shavings anymore. I was so tired of not being able to keep the them clean to my satisfaction, plus, the shavings were doing a number on my lungs.

We made the big switch this morning, and I thought I'd report on the progress for those who are curious. Did you know that sand weighs one hundred pounds per cubic foot? Per FOOT. I had no idea. We bought three bags of Play Sand at Home Depot last night (It's a brand name; you'll find it in the construction area with the cement for $3.47/bag.) Getting the shavings out of the brooder quickly was the hardest part of the job, frankly. Glad I had help. The girls seemed most upset by the transfer to the second location while the change of litter was made. There was much protest.

I had to place the empty, newspaper-lined brooder back into the dog crate before filling with sand for obvious reasons. It only took two bags to fill a 30" x 48" box to about a 2" depth, so we have a bag to spare. I really wish we'd thought to bring the sand into the house last night, because then it would have been room temperature, but we gave them lots of stuffed toys to hop onto to warm their feet, plus I put down some paper towels and lowered the lamp a bit.

To re-introduce them to the new brooder, I placed the smaller holding box right inside the brooder and opened up one side. I had thought they would be cautious having been slightly traumatised by the first transfer, but they came rushing out and immediately started pecking and scratching in the sand. I've seen concerns posted that they might eat too much sand. I can report that the glamour of the sand has already worn off, and now they're scratching for their food, instead. It will take a while for the sand to become warm, but they seem perfectly happy roosting on stuffed animals and hanging out on the paper towels. Some of them don't seem to mind the cold sand at all.

I know I'm taking a chance in going against the tide here, but I had to go with my gut. I'll keep updating this thread for anyone who may be having similar questions...


The girls zoom out of the holding brooder into the new sand-filled one so quickly, by the time I get my camera ready to take a shot, all twelve are out!

The girls in their new brooder. Please note my little Mohawk Red Girl hanging out on the roost on Day Seven. She's always the first one to do anything. (She's my favourite. Don't tell anyone.)

And then this, just because.

 

[old geezer]

hi---in your second pic--the 3 chicks to the left of the waterer---are they buff orpingtons---thanks

 

[MydearWatson]

First of all, the chick sleeping on the stuffed animal? Priceless!! OMG. so cute. Second, why is your water yellow? I've seen this in other photos too, I'm assuming some sort of vitamin? What do you use? I was thinking of putting some nutrients in our water too. And third, I cant wait to see how you make out with the sand. I am going to be trying it too even though it goes against the majority here. It seems like those who do use it, love it! I plan on using it in the coop too.

Good luck with your cute babies!

 

[Wnner Wnner Ckn Dnner]

I LOVE the last pic posted.

 

[write2caroline]

Sand is much easier but heavier - cost wise less expensive. I learned the hard way it did not work in my outdoor brooder as it seeped through the cracks in the wood.

Both are good.
Caroline

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I also use sand in my brooders - the ones in the garage. Chicks love it - and for me, the sand is free................ah desert living

Great job

 

[SilkieMama17]

I switched over to Sand and I'm really not a big fan. It's easier to clean, but I have to clean it MORE. Also, it smells reallllly bad I think, like a yucky ocean LOL Once this current bag of sand is done, I'm switching back to shavings. Hope it works better for you than it does for me!!

 

[MydearWatson]

I have heard quite a bit that it does get smelly.

I figured everything will eventually get smelly after awhile though. I think it will be a trial and error sort of thing.

 

[ninabeast]

MyDearWatson, yes, there is an vitamin supplement in the water. It's called Sav-a-Chick, and I got it at the recommendation of the chicken expert at my local Agway. I'll use up the three packets (one to a quart of water), then they'll be on regular water. I'm actually going to wean them off so the supplement is more and more diluted.

old geezer, I have three Barred Rocks (the black ones), three Production Reds (the strawberry blonds), three Light Brahmas (the platinum blondes with the black/grey tips on the wing feathers) and three Buff Orpingtons (the California blonds with no colour variation in the wing feathers). So, the one in the fore is an Orp; of that group of three to the left of the waterer, I think the front one and the back one are the other two Orps. Hard to tell.

As for the sand smelling, I am placing hope that, this being play sand which has been washed and dried, I will be okay. I really had to try SOMETHING, because the pine fumes were messing with my lungs. That's not good for me as a breather, but even more so not good as an opera singer. And, yes...feather dander. Fortunately, they won't be in the brooder forever. It just seems that way sometimes. As for cleaning, I have a lizard pooper scooper at the ready. For now, most of the "action" is happening on the paper towels.

Can't wait to watch them dustbathe! They are taking great pleasure in kicking their food into the sand, then scratching it out. Wonderful to see them discover their instincts.

Isn't it amazing how quickly the little poopers are independent?! We have a robin's nest outside (she had three batches last spring) and, at one week old, they are still bald and blind and helpless. Just astonishing to watch my girls grow. They are now FLYING, for pete's sake, in 4-6 inch flights.

 

[MydearWatson]

Oh! Good to know. I have three packets of save-a-chick just waiting to be used on my little chicks!