HELP!!! What kind of litter for baby chicks?

[mediazeal]

I used pine pellets that they sell for horse bedding.
it is the BEST!!
much less dust
none of my chicks tried to eat it
absorbed everythign they threw at it
I changed it out every so often since it turns to sawdust when wet
and did I mention much less dust??
they walk on it easier too

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I used puppy pads because I had some on hand. I liked that they covered the whole bottom of the brooder and seemed more obsorbant than paper towels.

I then used wood pellets for my banties that I got later than my standard chicks. For them I used peat moss then pine shavings then aspin shavings that seemed less dusty and I liked the smell of them better.

LOVED the wood pellets. Do a search and you'll find a lot of folks that love them as well. They smell good and keep the smell down in the brooder. They dry out the poo within minutes. They don't get kicked up in the food and waterer as bad once the little ones start scratching.

In my coop (12' x 12' former horse stall) I cleaned them out down to the rubber mats that sit on pea gravel. On the mats, I used left over pine horse bedding that is like thick saw dust. Then layered wood pellets, stall dry and aspin shavings. Once every two months or so I layer stall dry and aspin shavings. LOVE that combo. The chicks will scratch down to the pine bedding to dust bath in and lately with the heat (80-90's) they dig down were it's nice and cool.

Mine just started laying two weeks ago and I have aspin shavings in their nest boxes. LOVE it - smells good and it's nice and comfy for the chicks to lay their eggs in.

WELCOME to BYC's from the Pacific NW. Good luck with your little ones and be sure to share lots of pics.

 

[JessHall]

I agree with everyone else... use pine shavings. I really like them.

 

[Freyja]

I tried pine shavings but because they were from Ponderosa pines (which have a lot of resins), the scent was pungent and sharp -- not at all like the fresh, pine shavings I used to buy for my horse stalls. So just know that pine shavings can vary depending on the type of pines that are used. I've been using aspen shavings which have worked well -- no strong scents. Downside is that they're more expensive than the pine.

I like the idea of the pine pellets -- anything to bring the dust level down. Better for the chickens and my respiratory systems both, I would think.

 

[nhnanna]

We use pine shavings with papertowels on top for the first week until they know where the food is.
I would not use sawdust as it is very fine and could choke them.

 

[Jccatcher]

Pine Shavings

 

[write2caroline]

I used crushed walnut shells deep litter method - chicks did not eat it and it is scoopable like cat litter. keeping it clean. I also use it for my parakeets. Got it at Petsmart. I liked it better than the pine shavings.
caroline
jax fl

 

[Chicky Mama]

Rice hulls are great,most feed store should have it! When your done you can mix it in your garden or burn pile. It's perfect for lil' chickies, not as dusty as wood.

 

[ChickLit]

Hi Chad!

My babies will be 4 weeks old on Sunday...I started them on pine shavings covered with layers of paper towels (changed MANY times a day!). I wouldn't want to try anything other than the pine because the hickory is an unknown around here.

A friend also suggested pine shavings over Rubbermaid drawer liner material...you know the rubbery webbed stuff...to help prevent splayed legs. Since mine were started in a large plastic tote, then moved to a bigger brooder based on a plastic kiddie pool, the Rubbermaid stuff has been great!!

Someone on another thread posted this link for inexpensive DE online:
http://www.earthworkshealth.com/products.php You can get a 50-lb. bag for $27.50, but the shipping on that may be a killer. Try looking for an agriculture-oriented store in your area ~ you may find a better deal.

 

[mzfancichicks]

In regards to DE, I actually found mine at the feed store. Just be sure to get food grade.

Hi - good luck !!!!