Entertainment and treats for week old chicks.

[KWestVA]

In the house we don't use bedding like wood chips or anything like that, it's a hassle and just too messy and dusty. We use puppy pee pads and just change them every night about bed time. What we do is remove the chicks from the brooder and put them in a box (under dim lights so they're sleepy and calm!), then change everything in the brooder - clean and change the waterer(s), refill the feeder(s), remove and replace the puppy pads. Then, before returning the chicks to their nice clean brooder, we check for pasty butt and clean any that need it, then turn off the lights. Done!

Do you use disposable or reusable puppy pads? I have reusable pads from when my dog was a puppy, but I think I would be doing laundry every day to keep up with my chicks' bowels!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Do you use disposable or reusable puppy pads? I have reusable pads from when my dog was a puppy, but I think I would be doing laundry every day to keep up with my chicks' bowels!

Disposable!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Disposable!

We use two pads in each tote, changed every night, and even after three weeks I don't believe we've gone through an entire package yet.

 

[KWestVA]

We use two pads in each tote, changed every night, and even after three weeks I don't believe we've gone through an entire package yet.

Awesome, thank you very much!!

 

[BackyardinWales]

We use two pads in each tote, changed every night, and even after three weeks I don't believe we've gone through an entire package yet.

I used them in totes for two weeks, then stopped and changed to shavings as the babies had eaten through a pad!

 

[KWestVA]

I used them in totes for two weeks, then stopped and changed to shavings as the babies had eaten through a pad!

I initially bought faux wood shavings made of recycled paper. Very economical, but the chicks like to pull it up (even had two playing tug-of-war with a piece). I just bought a small package of pads to try them out; I intend to cover them with paper towels at first just in case. I'll let you know how it works!