Ground corn husks

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

What is everyone's take on ground corn husks? Ive been working on a brooder and I'm almost ready to introduce some chicks to it. I have tile board floors inside on the bottom and think that might be too slick. Even though it makes cleaning easier. I don't want to cause any injuries to the chicks' developing legs. A friend mentioned using paper towels and then putting grounded up corn husks to soak up moisture. What is everyone's take on this? Ive never been good with keeping chicks. I usually leave it up to the hens. But this time I don't have any hens to rely on.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Are corn husks a good replacement for pine shavings?

I have no idea. But if they're absorbent & not slippery, they'll be fine.

You'll want to cover them for the first day with paper towels, which helps prevent spraddle leg.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I usually start the chickie on cheap drawer liner (learned it here) over pine shavings. I don't know much about the shredded cornhusks, but it should work.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

Another silly question. But how do you keep the paper towels from sliding around? I know chicks can get pretty playful at times. Expecially if there is a lot of them. Does anyone use anything to help keep the paper towels in place? Another person told me to get some acctual towels and put them down. Something I don't mind getting dirty and throwing away later.

 

[walkswithdog]

Corn cobs are NOT absorbent and they go to mold nearly immediately. They're actively dangerous as litter for birds.

Shavings or pellets. See the shavings thread.

I use actual towels the first day. They wash, they're absorbent, I KNOW they're clean and that I can disinfect them between uses, they have no ingredients I know nothing about - papertowels do. They're also great traction, kind to feet and inedible.

Good luck with the babies.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

thanks for the advice. I will stir away from cob grounds then. I haven't got the chicks yet. I'm one of those that make sure everything is ready for launch before I dive in.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

I had newspaper down first than paper towels on top of that for the first several day. Lay the newspaper down in a way that you can just roll it up when ready to clean. I had no problem with them sliding. When they poop enough it will stick the papers together. Then as they get older I put in shredded paper. They love it! Have fun!

BTW

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

Acctually I think I will go with this. It seems to be perfect for baby chicks in my opinion. Its shelf liners. Non-slip. Water proof, and would be easy to clean. Just hang it up outside and spray it with the water hose then let it dry for a few minutes. I can get a roll big enough to have enough to put down then enough left over out of the roll to put down while washing and drying the dirty one.

 

[walkswithdog]

I use that in my incubator for when they hatch. It also goes in the washer for clean up.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

Im going to go with it in a pink color lol