Hello...Your definitely going to need bedding because they will lay and walk into all that poo and I can't imagine the smell ...
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Some keepers prefer not to use shavings in the 1st few days out of a concern regarding the chicks potentially eating them causing they just of blockages. I personally have never had any if you using the pine shavings and having the chicks and just them… I use them routinely for my chicks from the very 1st day. If you are particularly concerned or wish to error on the safe side, paper towels (can be put over the shavings) prevent consumption while providing traction (newspaper is not a good choice as it is slick, especially when wet from water or droppings) and can lead to leg issuesLast time I used pine shavings, but I was told recently that it is not safe for 1-2 day old birds. Is that true, and I just got lucky last time?
Do we have to have bedding?
Can't I just keep them in the kid-pool with their food, water, and heat-plate without bedding?
I do have straw. Would that be more or less safe than wood chips for the first few days?
I don't personally care for straw. It gets wet and slippery. I use wood chips now, because I find it works better AND I can get wood chips for free at the local landfill. Having said that, if you already have straw, why not use it and just replace it if it gets wet and slippery.