How often do I really need to change pine shavings???

[nwgirl]

I have 5 chicks in an approximately 2x4 brooder and every day I scoop out the dirtiest pine shavings and replace with new. Every week I replace all the old shavings with new.

 

[Crickett]

I've been changing mine about every two to three days. Works for me.

 

[aidenbaby]

You know, there is nothing wrong with keeping their brooder really clean. If you want to change it daily, knock yourself out. I would probably only put about 1/2 inch of litter in if I did that or even less just to keep pine shaving costs down. Or you can do what some others do and put more shavings in but only clean it every 2-3 days. Or you can try to do something like the deep littler method and put 2-3 inches of litter in, stir daily and add a little more every day. I think with deep litter you clean about once a week or two. I'm not sure how it works in a brooder.

 

[sonew123]

man I must be a freak-I had 2 chicks in a brooder and changed it almost everyday-they stunk!!!! I now have 10 in a huge brooder outside in teh garage and it's been a week on the same bedding-3-4 inches deep-I justrake it around -it will be cleaned this weekend-and no real smell!!!

 

[aidenbaby]

I don't think you are a freak. Everyone has their own style.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
thank you very much !!!

 

[Chicken Fruit]

I use pellets and I change the brooder like once every two or three weeks. When I put them in the cardboard brooder in the coop I dont change it that entire month.

Shavings only last a day or two at most.

 

[cafarmgirl]

I have 8 chicks, 3 1/2 weeks old now, in a 4 X 3 foot brooder. I lined it with newspaper and bedded it with pine shavings about an inch deep. I add a good layer of clean shavings every day and completely clean out the whole thing once a week. I'm also adding some hay now for them to scratch around in. They don't smell and they are all healthy and happy. They are moving into their coop this weekend but if they were going to be in the brooder box any longer then I'd probably have to start doing a complete cleaning at least a couple times a week in addition to top dressing.