Newbie question -- do I take them out to change the paper towels?

[sben451]

I usually just work around the chicks. They're a little skiddish, but I think handling them will make them less skiddish in the long run. I just roll up the paper towels on one side and lay down the clean strip of paper towels, ease the chicks on to the clean side, then finish laying down the clean towels. After a few days, I usually switch to pine shavings which I like better.

 

[Spires6]

I roll the dirty paper towel upand they scamper out of the way and then I move them over as I put the fresh towel in. Quick, easy and works really well. I use an empty pizza box with pine shavings and paper towels on top. I change the towels 2-3 times a day and the shavings every few days. Good luck!

 

[lisahaschickens]

wow! It sounds like people make it harder than it needs to be!

From all my reading, I did it this way, and it worked beautifully:

2-3 inches pine/white shavings in the bottom of the brooder, stir it up once or twice a day. Mine were in there 2 weeks (15 babies) and I never needed to change it and there was no smell at all... the shavings absorbed the droppings and you just stir up the fresh stuff from the bottom. With 30 babies, maybe once per week would be all it requires. Paper towels aren't good because they are slippery and can cause leg problems, plus they don't absorb the droppings or smell well enough. Try the shavings! You won't be sorry! (just remember, no cedar... if they eat a little of the pine it doesn't hurt them, but cedar can make them sick).

 

[geareduplyn]

Cleaning brooders is not a fun job. These chicks are 2 weeks old and have been on these same pellets with no maintenance from day one.. They will remain on the same pellets until I move them a month from now. The pellets will be broken down more, but they will still be dry and have no bad odor.

 

[nikki24]

I put mine on shavings right away because thats what they were on in the feed store.Just got them today but they seem to walk fine.

I have 37 ISB browns..not what I planned on but oh well!!!

 

[geareduplyn]

The greatest problem with shavings is that the chicks will sometimes eat them. Most feed store employees do not know a whole bunch about raising chicks, at least mine don't.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Ive never had any problems with chicks eating shavings.

 

[geareduplyn]

B. Saffles Farms :

Ive never had any problems with chicks eating shavings.

You've been lucky​

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I had my first round on shavings and had no problems. This round was on shavings and wanted to eat the shavings (likely because the shavings this time were finer). I finally dumped the shavings and put down a layer of sand. After the initial "ACK!! What is this stuff?!" panic, they have been fine with it. I figure if they eat the sand it will work as grit.
I've been scooping and stirring it and so far no problems. They seem to like to nestle down and wallow in it.

The outdoor chicks live with both shavings and plain old dirt and have all been healthy and fine!

 

[lisahaschickens]

I have three chicken books and they all recommend shavings above all else. Mine pecked at them a bit and it wasn't a problem at all. If eating shavings were a big problem, why would they come so highly recommended? As long as they are not cedar, I believe they are the most common and I don't think they cause many problems at all. They've been great for me from day one.