chicks will be here soon!

[Saerasx]

We went to another small local feed store today to pick up scratch n peck starter and bedding...it was SO hard to not take some of the little fluffers home! They were all from Cackle and Ideal, but looked great. Mine are coming from a local hatchery/breeder though. My question is about bedding. I picked up pine bedding but I'm wondering if I should also use sand? Also for the first few days I've heard of using puppy pads with nice paper towels over them instead of the shavings, what would be the best bet?

 

[red horse ranch]

We went to another small local feed store today to pick up scratch n peck starter and bedding...it was SO hard to not take some of the little fluffers home! They were all from Cackle and Ideal, but looked great. Mine are coming from a local hatchery/breeder though. My question is about bedding. I picked up pine bedding but I'm wondering if I should also use sand? Also for the first few days I've heard of using puppy pads with nice paper towels over them instead of the shavings, what would be the best bet?

I usually start mine out on old towels. Gives them good traction and they can be thrown in the washer afterwards. When they are 2 to 3 weeks old they are moved to a brooder in the barn. There I have pine chips on the floor.