Chick brooder cages, do I cover the mesh bottom or leave it bare?

[Bantam Username]

I've bought a Maino Happy Chick Brooder cage but its not arrived yet, just want to get everything ready and prepared before I even incubate the eggs.
It has perspex sides, a fine mesh top, a fine mesh bottom and a metal slide out tray under that.
I've seen some things saying its the cleanest most hygeinic way to raise chicks and reduce bacterial infections etc, but others saying it can damage the chicks legs standing on mesh.
Do I put corrugated card on the mesh for the first week and then remove it? I'm not sure what to do now.
Heres a pic anyway http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200632296436&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Chemguy]

Sorry, I can't biew the oicture. It is labelled as a private listing.

I had the same question as you, though not related to a specific brooder. Some folk around here seem to use mesh, others avoid it like the plague. As far as hygeine, I think that it doesn't matter what you do, as long as you keep everything clean. Poop will stick to mesh, requiring scrubbing. Litter can be removed, but there will always be poop stuck somewhere. Cleaning is required no matter what.

Depending on the size of the mesh little legs could fall through, I suppose, but I haven't heard of that happening. From what I've read elsewhere, some chicks will be more likely to peck at each others' toes when brooded on mesh or wire. This could develop into cannibalism. I've also found that a smooth surface is not good for hatchling legs, as they cannot gain traction.

 

[Bantam Username]

Its very fine mesh, if I put corrugated card on, it would be rough bumpy side up obviously so they don't slip, but I could easily put litter on top of that since the sides are perspex. this is a bigger version of the one I've bought, hopefully you can see this one http://www.wheatcroftpoultry.co.uk/productDetails.asp?intProductID=483&intCategoryID=5