How often should I change the litter in my brooder?

[chickie fam]

I only have 2 roos in one of my brooders now but I'm about to get 10 and I'm not sure how often I should change their litter. Every day? Every other day? Twice a day?

 

[HEChicken]

Whenever it seems to need it - you'll know when you see it. I'm sure everyone's standards are a little different. I do mine every other day or so, but as they get older it needs to be done more often.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

When you can't stand it any more it's time.

 

[Fred's Hens]

A large brooder box, such as this 5x8 utility trailer I use, gives lots of room for poop and thick chip layering.
I don't change it at all. At 7-8 weeks, the feathered out chicks go to their grow out pen. I hook the trailer up to my tractor and back it up to the compost pile and sweep it out. Done.

 

[Arielle]

Before my little chicks arrived I read everything. The deep litter method made sense until I saw how much they pecked at everything. Am I worrying too much? I started them on paper towels, changing everyday. Then I layered on new paper towels everyday--expensive. Then I put down a cheap piece of fabric used to cover sofas (durable) and shake it out every few days. This is tedious! I'm liking the shavings idea much better now, but am still afraid they'll each little pieces and get impacted.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
Nah!!! I have raised dozen and dozens of chicks on shavings. BUT... don't buy the stuff that is practically sawdust, but the large size. Cheap.
Gosh, natural raised chicks under a broody hen grows up on pine needles, straw, etc out the barn.

 

[chickie fam]

Fred's Hens :

A large brooder box, such as this 5x8 utility trailer I use, gives lots of room for poop and thick chip layering.
I don't change it at all. At 7-8 weeks, the feathered out chicks go to their grow out pen. I hook the trailer up to my tractor and back it up to the compost pile and sweep it out. Done.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/69833_dscf1991.jpg

Thats an awesome idea. Now to find a spare utility trailer. My hubby uses ours too much to use that one as a brooder but maybe I can convince him.....