Need suggestions for chicks who are tearing up everything in sight!

[chickiepie]

My five chicks are about a month old. I recently moved them up to a bigger brooder and they seem happier. However, the last several days they have been driving me nuts! The cage has a wire floor with a tray underneath. Over the wire floor, I lay newspaper and a couple inches of shavings. They keep digging down and pulling up the newspaper. They peck it apart and then, of course, the wire floor is exposed. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am looking forward to moving them out as soon as we finish the run, but I think they are a bit young yet.

 

[silkiechicken]

Sounds like they are being chickens. Without a run, that's what they'll do to gardens too!

They are still young, you can have them directly on wire.

 

[cafarmgirl]

What about using something like a rubber bath mat or piece of indoor/outdoor carpeting under the shavings until they go out? Or a thin piece of plywood cut to fit? Anything that's not slippery.

I had the same problem with mine but they were in a large wooden box for a brooder so it didn't really matter. They sure did have a great time scratching aside the shavings and shredding the paper!

 

[chickiepie]

Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately there is not a big opening through which I could put a piece of plywood, but I might be able to rig up a box of shavings and leave the rest wire. That sure would be easier to clean.