How often should i clean a cage with three new born chicks inside?

[afarrington2]

Hi, I am getting three brown layer chicks (who are a day old) from my local farmer on August 1st (next wed.) I have a cage ready it is 16.2in'. by 8.5 in'. I was wondering how often it should be cleaned. The bedding is sawdust with an under-layer of newspaper.

Thanks alot! Much Appreciated!

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

I think that with sawdust you could just pick out the poo when you see it. I would spot clean all day, then clean up really good once a day.(at night would be good). It shouldn't be to bad with only 3 though.

Best of Luck!

 

[RonC]

You will be cleaning it every day at that size. Pine shavings would be better than sawdust. They are going to eat the sawdust and cause problems. Some even eat the shavings.They will outgrow your brooder very quickly. Over crowding will cause them to be aggressive to each other. You need at least about that much room for each chick,double that would be better. Sorry to ruin your plan but they won't be happy in there for long.

 

[afarrington2]

I think that with sawdust you could just pick out the poo when you see it. I would spot clean all day, then clean up really good once a day.(at night would be good). It shouldn't be to bad with only 3 though.

Best of Luck!

Thanks alot! will do!

 

[JohnBerry]

I have a friend who got his chicks around the same time as I did. He used sawdust and I used shavings. He needed to constantly clean. I have cleaned exactly zero times. I add some shavings every few days. Some shavings get in the food and water and are easily removed. With sawdust it makes the water into mud and the food is wasted. After almost 2 weeks he cleaned out the brooder and put in shavings. He and the chicks are much happier.

 

[afarrington2]

You will be cleaning it every day at that size. Pine shavings would be better than sawdust. They are going to eat the sawdust and cause problems. Some even eat the shavings.They will outgrow your brooder very quickly. Over crowding will cause them to be aggressive to each other. You need at least about that much room for each chick,double that would be better. Sorry to ruin your plan but they won't be happy in there for long.

Yes it is pretty-much pine shavings! Thanks alot! No problem i am just using this cage for the beginning