Mulch in brooder box?

[maddogdodge]

My chicks are 2 and a half weeks old now, I've currently got newspaper with rubber shelf liner on top in their brooder box. I like the shelf liner because its really easy to clean and the chicks are doing well with it... however over the past few days they've starting to scratch around in their brooder box a bit, so i was wondering if i could use mulch in the brooder box? I have a huge load of what used to be wood chips, however over time it has become mulch, so i've definitely got plenty to use.
Thanks in advance

 

[iwiw60]

I wouldn't use mulch per se ... if you use wood shavings little chicks go bananas for it. They'll be scratching around and doing their little 'chicken thing' .. so fun to watch. You can get plain wood shavings at your feed store by the bale. Don't be alarmed by the size of the bale...trust me, you'll go through it!!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

*I* would use the mulch, but then again, I've been known to just brood with whatever I've got (dry leaves, straw, grass, shavings and yes, mulch when we've had extra). Just be sure to provide them with a dish of grit. I'm sure they'll get to scratching and find all kinds of goodies in that mulch.

Good luck

 

[maddogdodge]

Thanks for your replies I'll have to go into town and either pick up some grit or wood shavings

 

[Gracedby3]

Can you use pine like the sell at Target?

 

[iwiw60]

Can you use pine like the sell at Target?

I don't know what 'type' shavings Target could have. I always buy mine at a local feed store.