I don't try to maintain a sterile environment in my brooder. I don't even change all the bedding between batches -- just shoveling out the most soiled areas and adding fresh on top.
Based on advice from several members here, I put some bedding from the main coop into the brooder from time to time starting at about a week old.
I also give them clumps of greens from the run starting at about the same time.
I actually had the same philosophy with my kids -- controlled exposure to the environment rather than any attempt at sterility.
Based on advice from several members here, I put some bedding from the main coop into the brooder from time to time starting at about a week old.
I also give them clumps of greens from the run starting at about the same time.
I actually had the same philosophy with my kids -- controlled exposure to the environment rather than any attempt at sterility.