Pine shavings and Poop... what to do??

[LarryPQ]

Pine shavings and Poop... what to do??

Make cookies?​

 

[bel]

Quote:
They do taste the shavings but I've never had them eat a lot or get sick from it, they figure it out pretty fast. Sometimes one grabs a big shaving and runs around with it while the others chase him.

I usually start the first few days on paper towel, and change it often, then switch to pine, but if there are a lot of chicks they go on pine faster (couple times they have been on pine immediately) sometimes the brooder is paper towels on top of pine shaving. It seems like if food is on the white paper towel they see it faster and figure out its food (and not the shavings).

 

[Faye Rhoden]

We put shavings down and then put paper towels down over that and changed them occationally.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Ditto. It doesn't get a total change out until they are out of the brooder.

If they tip their waterer, I will remove the wet shavings because that's not good for them AND damp feed also smells horrible. Besides being dangerous for them if it molds.

If there's a particularly wet poop that I happen to see (because I watch them so much - who can't???) I will drop a handful of shaving on that spot so it doesn't get on any little feetsies.

I haven't yet resorted to washing chick feet.....

 

[Hoosierchickens]

We use a modified deep liter method too. We put four inches of shavings and turn it with a small hand garden rake every day or two and add more when necessary. It looks good as new and we don't have odor issues at over two weeks with 12 birds.

 

[Laurieks]

I just discovered corn cob bedding/litter. The chicks love it & they don't scrabble it into their food & water dishes.

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Small-Animal-Litter-Bedding/dp/B001VIY7J0

I just paid #13.99 for 1.33 cubic feet, 24.8 lbs, the same as this one Amazon (actually Petco) is selling for $18+, so shop around. I'm loving my local feed store more all the time!

Last year I used sand, which was wonderful but awfully heavy! Especially buying more after it was wet from the rain; they had me fill my own bag ($4/sack)

 

[CatsCrazyCoop]

Quote:
Make cookies?

I think I just laughed so hard, I may have a stomach injury.

 

[joneus]

Mine are on sand with a scoop of Stall Dry mixed in- that seems to be working pretty well to keep their feet clean most of the time. They've also got bricks to perch on, so I'm sure whatever poop doesnt come off in the sand gets scraped off on the bricks.

 

[chicksntexas]

Quote:
Make cookies?