Dirt in chick keeper instead of wood shavings?

[MightyChickenJF]

I am wondering if, instead of traditional wood shaving scratch, I should put dirt in the bottom of the chick container. This might get the chicks used to the native soil and to eating the bugs that live in said soil. What do y'all think?

 

[saysfaa]

Early exposure to soil organisms is good. Most people who do that put a clod in on other bedding because dirt is not absorbent so it would be hard to keep the chicks dry in a brooder sized space.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am wondering if, instead of traditional wood shaving scratch, I should put dirt in the bottom of the chick container. This might get the chicks used to the native soil and to eating the bugs that live in said soil. What do y'all think?

What are you going to use as the "chick container"?

If you are keeping chicks inside your house for a few weeks, then using puppy pads or shavings would probably be a better option, these are easier to "clean" and a little less dust - chicks are very dusty as it is. Provide them with a pan of soil to dig in.

If brooding outdoors, then let them on the ground, protected and monitored of course.

 

[MightyChickenJF]

What are you going to use as the "chick container"?

If you are keeping chicks inside your house for a few weeks, then using puppy pads or shavings would probably be a better option, these are easier to "clean" and a little less dust - chicks are very dusty as it is. Provide them with a pan of soil to dig in.

If brooding outdoors, then let them on the ground, protected and monitored of course.

It seems to me that some people put chicks in one of those big metal "tubs" until they are old enough to roam the chicken run. I was gonna keep the metal tub outside. However, I did consider simply putting them in the run, but didn't know if I really should do that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It seems to me that some people put chicks in one of those big metal "tubs" until they are old enough to roam the chicken run. I was gonna keep the metal tub outside. However, I did consider simply putting them in the run, but didn't know if I really should do that.

Putting then in the run hinges on a lot of things - is it secure, can the chicks fit through the wire, do you have other chickens, can you provide heat for them, etc.

Show photos of where you were going to brood them outside.
Is this your first batch of chicks?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I am wondering if, instead of traditional wood shaving scratch, I should put dirt in the bottom of the chick container. This might get the chicks used to the native soil and to eating the bugs that live in said soil. What do y'all think?

I put a small amount of dirt from the run where the adult chickens are into the brooder on Day 2 or 3 for the chicks to eat. Then I do it again every 3 or 4 days. This gets grit and the probiotic the adult have into their system, and gets them started on flock immunities. If you don't have adults you don't get any probiotic benefits but you do get the others if there is anything in your native soil. I'm mainly thinking of the bugs that cause coccidiosis but there could be others. After two or three weeks they develop immunity to that strain of coccidiosis. Some people try to raise their chicks in a sterile environment but I prefer to strengthen their immune system from the start so they are ready for when they hit the environment they will be living in.

You want your brooder to be dry. If it gets wet and stays wet it can stink and be unhealthy. I don't know what your brooder looks like so I don't know what bedding might work best in yours. If your brooder is in your house and you have dry dirt in it they are going to scratch up a lot of dust, everything will be coated with it. If we know where and how you brood them we may be able to come up with suggestions. Without knowing what yours looks like I'm not real comfortable with the thought of a solid dirt floor to the brooder, especially if it is inside your house.

You have a lot of options on how to introduce them to your native dirt. I just dig up some dirt. Some put a piece of turf (roots, tops, and dirt) in the brooder. Some people brood them outside where they can get to the ground. You can take them outside for a while and let them peck at the ground. When my broody hens bring the chicks off of the nest one of the first thigs hey do is take them where they can peck at the ground.

 

[MightyChickenJF]

More info:

I actually don't live on the land where I will be keeping the chickens quite yet. I am in the process of moving from Sacramento to a rural area a few miles south of the CA/OR border. The move should be completed before Easter, then I plan to buy some chicks and get a flock going.

I will be living in a "tiny house" so obviously there will be no room for a brooder inside. As noted by @Ridgerunner, I want to get the chicks acclimated to the environment they will be living in since this will be a year round flock and the conditions outside can be harsh at times.

I can post photos of the soil so maybe somebody who is knowledgeable about the soil type can comment.

As for a brood enclosure, I am thinking a metal tub of the type sold at farm supply stores. I don't know what size to buy though. I will likely start out with 6 hens and 3 roos.

 

[MightyChickenJF]

This is the best soil closeup I could find. (The blocks are for the tiny home.) The USGS officially calls this "Lassen Clay".

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If you will have the coop/run ready by the time chicks arrive, I would brood them directly in the coop and run.
Start in the coop using pine shavings with bedding and use a brooder plate or something like a Mama Heating pad for heat.
I assume your run will be secured where chicks can't get out, so after a couple-few weeks, open the coop and allow them in the run. They will be cautious for days but will eventually decide that out in the run is great! This introduces them to the environment in which they will live.

IF I raise chicks myself in a brooder or coop/house by themselves, I give them a pan of dirt from where they will roam (run, yard, other chicken pens, etc.) to introduce them those first couple of weeks to what they might encounter.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

 

[saysfaa]

The stock tanks (water tanks) would terribly expensive to buy new for just a brooder. If you have one laying around or have another purpose for them, they are nice for the chicks' first few days. Otherwise, cardboard boxes are less exciting but work at least as well... if you can round the corners with some kind of bumper.

Ideally, their coop is best. I'd use the whole coop since you don't have chickens in it already. It would need a cardboard or wire or mesh fence to keep them close enough to the heat to find it easily until they know where it is... a few days probably.

This gives them a richer environment among other benefits.

The stock tanks are great for in stores as they are so durable... they well stand up to people leaning on them. And maybe a bit of advertising for the tanks.

And I know a lot of farmers like them because they already had them, they are a good size, already have round corners, and you can keep the chicks safe from other chickens and cats and dogs (with a screen door or something on them).