Litter management in the brooder

[imthedude]

I'd like to hear what you guys do for managing litter in your brooders. Empty it all everyday? Pick out the larger pieces of poop? Leave the poop and add some fresh shavings everyday? I have 8 girls that are a little over three weeks old in the basement, and they're starting to cause quite a stink in the house. When I had them in the smaller cage, it wasn't a big deal to empty the shavings/litter everyday, but now that they're bigger and are pooping more and in the bigger tub, it's a lot of shavings that I empty everyday. Just curious what others do to keep the smell/cost down.

 

[vnploveschickens]

I completely empty the brooder 2-3x per week and add a little layer of pine shavings everyday. My 5 chicks are 5 weeks old now and are so active.
They are jumping and hopping from one end to the other and making a mess. They are so funny.

 

[Duchessk75]

Hi

I have 23 3 week old barred rock chicks. I know what you mean about the smell! I change water and feed twice a day, and clean the bedding when I do that. I use a kitty litter scoop/shovel thing and pretty much take off the top, dirty layer of shavings. Then I put a fresh layer of pine shavings down. It really helps control the smell. And I do a complete clean twice a week. Hope this helps, and welcome to the wonderful world of Chickens! I'm a newbie too