Is it necessary?

[Bear1978]

I have 6 two-week old chicks in a custom made brooder box which is 2 large cardboard boxes taped together.. It about 4ft by 2.5ft in size.

Is it necessary to take ALL of the pine shavings out when I clean it, or just hit the high spots and add fresh pine shavings in the process?

I am leery about toting this box around as even though I used a whole role of duct tape and some of another roll and its they are heavy duty boxes that were used to ship a grill in, I still do not want to risk it coming apart when I am moving it outside and back inside to dump the shavings out?

Thanks!

 

[GC-Raptor]

Is it necessary to take ALL of the pine shavings out when I clean it, or just hit the high spots and add fresh pine shavings in the process?

You could just remove the poopy shavings daily and a thorough cleaning weekly. Of course if the shavings get wet, a complete cleaning would be needed.
I bought a mini dust pan at the grocery store to clean my non-removable nest boxes. It works great.

GC

 

[Bear1978]

Thanks! Yes I had some wet shavings due to a waterer mishap that I removed completely. A tiny bit of the cardboard bottom got a little damp but it’s covered with plastic sheeting. But it definitely smells better now!

 

[Punkybrewster]

I do layers of shavings and clean it once a week. Sooner if it gets wet.

I never take all of the shavings out, just the worst parts. But my chicks dont stay in the house longer than 2 weeks if that.

 

[Bear1978]

Thanks! Yes it’s warm during the day here in Arkansas where I live; 80-90 during the day and 70-75 at night. So as soon as my coop and run are ready they’ll be heading outside!

 

[GC-Raptor]

A tiny bit of the cardboard bottom got a little damp but it’s covered with plastic sheeting.

Keep an eye out for mold under the plastic sheeting. GC

 

[Bear1978]

Will do. If mold appears would it be ok to put a piece of plywood down over it to keep the chicks off of it and the shavings from coming in contact with it?

 

[GC-Raptor]

Will do. If mold appears would it be ok to put a piece of plywood down over it to keep the chicks off of it and the shavings from coming in contact with it?

I wouldn't chance it. Mold can produce spores.
I would replace the box. GC

 

[Bear1978]

The watering mishap occurred Friday evening. I checked the spot on the box that got damp last night and it was only slightly damp still and no sign of mold. I would think if mold was going to grow it would have already started? I’ll continue to keep an eye on it until it dries.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Is it necessary to take ALL of the pine shavings out when I clean it, or just hit the high spots and add fresh pine shavings in the process?

A wet broody can stink and be unhealthy. It's not just mold, there can be other dangers. A dry brooder is good.

You have experienced a waterer issue, those are real common. Another issue can be that the poop builds up in thickness enough that it never dries out. Dry poop is not a problem but if it stays wet it will be.

Think of your bedding as sort of a diaper. It absorbs the excess moisture in te poop and dries it out. As long as it is dry you are good to go. When it gets wet you need to change it. That's why it is only sort of like a diaper, in your brooder it can dry out the poop so it's not a problem. Manage it in a way to keep it dry.