No no NO!

[Arelwood]

Whoah..hadn't had that experience

I was pretty annoyed because they were expensive! And I only used maybe 2/3 of the pack.

 

[samanthaoverton]

I got a pack of 50 for 13 bucks this go. Rural king. Boy I love that place. I don't love the minimum six chick rule though...jerks

 

[Chullicken]

The dust is incredible! I thought I was informed. It's been 6 weeks and there is a 1/4" of dust everywhere! Ew! I actually don't notice the smell. I do have a HEPA air filter down there, and several in my living space. It's only when I am feeding/watering 2x a day that I feel any symptoms, but they last for several hours.

I actually wanted to do straw bedding. But I can't find it near me. I may actually be allergic to that too. I plan on doing sand in the coop, but I cannot justify lugging a bunch of sand into my basement.

I get mine at TSC, mostly have to ask for it if not on the shelf and they almost ALWAYS bring out a straw bale to my frustration at having to send them back to the warehouse for the right product. XD

 

[themotleycoopchic]

If its going to TSC, download the store app and order curbside. I have even called my local feed store and they let me order on the phone and pick up curbside. Sooo, maybe that will help you avoid the temptation of cuteness

 

[Arelwood]

If its going to TRS, download the store app and order curbside. I have even called my local feed store and they let me order on the phone and pick up curbside. Sooo, maybe that will help you avoid the temptation of cuteness

It's a local feed store. They don't even have a website. But I think I have calmed down enough to stand a fighting chance. I can always look at getting more chicks next year.

 

[Arelwood]

I got a pack of 50 for 13 bucks this go. Rural king. Boy I love that place. I don't love the minimum six chick rule though...jerks

I don't have one of those around here. TSC had a 25 pack for $7 which I thought was a good deal, but they were out. So I got the 50 pack for $20ish. Which didn't feel like a good deal to me!

 

[Rose Quartz]

I haven't heard about this one. Does it have similar qualities to other common bedding?

So long as it stays dry it doesnt smell bad. But they do like to dust bathe in it so it creates a lot of dust.

It's squishy and absorbs and holds heat really well. I prefer using it over wood shavings but does coat the walls if it's used in the house.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The dust is incredible! I thought I was informed. It's been 6 weeks and there is a 1/4" of dust everywhere! Ew!

This is why I brood outside. I'd encourage you to consider doing the same, but that means you'd be getting more chicks when you know you shouldn't!

Also Polish and Silkies can end up bullied by other breeds due to the fact that they look different. Do you realistically have the space and money to add a second, separate set up if needed to house them?

 

[Arelwood]

This is why I brood outside. I'd encourage you to consider doing the same, but that means you'd be getting more chicks when you know you shouldn't!

Also Polish and Silkies can end up bullied by other breeds due to the fact that they look different. Do you realistically have the space and money to add a second, separate set up if needed to house them?

I don't have any other spaces outdoors for them. I know about the bullying, that is why I only have those breeds. So no need for a separate set up as adults. I would have to reset up my original brooder for the new babies. But I didn't go to the feed store yesterday, so I consider it temporarily resolved!

 

[askem]

I use reptile sand and a reptile scooper for my chicks...so totally not going back. Wish reptile sand didnt cost so much though. Got a new bunch that I'm trying a cheaper sand with..here's hoping my reptile scooper will work on thicker sand. Someone on here uses puppy pads! I did that for the first week or so for my young batch then transitioned to the sand. You do have to change the puppy pads like once a day though. But there would be no dust. It would be like a diaper..voila and done.

Just a hint! You can get "Children's Play Sand" at most hardware stores (think Home Depot, Lowes, etc) for very, very cheap - it is usually fine sand because it's meant for sand boxes so they clean it and run it through a fine mesh screen. You can get 50 pounds of the stuff for like $4 - 5! The only thing is you wouldn't want it in with very young chicks, since they haven't learned to tell what is and isn't food yet.