This is our third year of hatching but the other two years have been ducks. This year is chickens! Tomorrow is day 18, so lock down. I was wondering if I should put something down in the incubator for the chicks when they hatch to help their little feet? Is the wire bottom ok for them? In years past we have snatched out ducklings and put them in a brooder box with towels as the bottom surface, something they couldn't eat, would soak up the water and mess. We had to change out towels twice a day though, dirty little guys. Chickens I am told are cleaner so we plan again on using the towels as towels seem safe, good to stand on, nothing small for them to try and eat that they shouldn't. So maybe a damp thin towel under the eggs or am I over thinking this? All the best, Kimberly P;S. Eggs are a homeschool project for us, we keep the hatchlings for a few weeks and then return them to the farm we got them at to live happy lives. We live on a military post and they don't allow farm animals! I can't wait till my husband retires as we will have some experience with ducks and chicks and can keep them then!
A thin towel on the bottom would be better than wire. And much more comfortable for the chicks. Leave them in the incubator until they are dry and fluffed up before moving them to the brooder.
We have used the no slip shelf liner very successfully. It is the thick bubbly kind with the little holes in it. You can get it at the dollar store. It cuts to fit very nicely and is soft on their feet and non slip.
X 2 i use the bubbly shelf liner with paper towel under it in my hatcher and it even has a solid drawer bottom. Paper towel makes for easier clean up. The shelf liner is also washable.
