Keets' Bedding

[crazy4chickens5]

I'm am preparing for some incoming keets, and I am wondering what the bottom of their brooder should be lined with! In the past I used paper towel with little designs all over it. These designs made ridges so they could get a grip. I did this the first week, and then after that (when they were used to their food) I used pine shavings. Is this okay? I sure hope so!

 

[PeepsCA]

I use rubberized shelf liner (that you can usually find at the dollar stores cheap) over paper towels for the first few days so that have good footing and avoid any leg/foot/toe issues. After that I put my keets on coarse straw or orchard grass hay (with no seeds or small leaves for them to ingest). If you absolutely have to use shavings, it's better to use the coarse flake kind (most Tractor Supply stores stock them). There's too much risk of the keets eating the small fluffy shavings and getting impacted from them.

 

[crazy4chickens5]

Is it okay for chicks to be on this hay?

 

[PeepsCA]

I don't raise chickens, only Guineas, Turkeys and Peafowl. I've never had any issues with using orchard grass hay or clean coarse straw for bedding for any of them. I don't see why baby chicks wouldn't be fine on it as well. You'll want to make sure it's clean, fresh hay, not dusty or moldy tho.

 

[crazy4chickens5]

okay. Thanks!