Pine shavings? Handling?

[SteamChick]

Hi!

My daughter (10 yrs old) and I just got six baby chicks yesterday, and they're 4 days old. I have them in a wood box we converted into a brooder with a metal mesh top, heat lamp (we adjust depending on their behavior), chick starter feed with proper feeders and waterers, and they get LOTS of attention (seem to "ask" for attention!). One of my concerns is that Ashley may be handling them too much, but they don't seem to complain about it. They don't "look" scared and sit contentedly on her hand or lap, usually one at a time. She has them named already.

I read here that it's good to use pine shavings, But the breeder I got our Rhode Island Reds from says not to use them (they're big shavings) because the chicks try to eat them and choke on them. I'm not sure what to use. I'm concerned about using grass clippings as we are in the country with a lot of animals that visit - goats and dogs mostly from the neighbors - and I am concerned about issues that might arise from droppings, etc. We don't have a lot of newspaper here, so I am at a loss as to the best bedding for these babies.

Other than the little I've been able to read here in the past few days, I know nothing about chicks or chickens. Amazing how a little ball of fluff can cause such anxiety! LOL.

Lisa Murray
Bethpage TN

 

[Sharon Bee]

I have read here that pine shavings are the best to use and perhaps sand. I have 11 two week old chicks and have never raised any before. I am using the pine shavings and they are just fine. They pick at it but they mostly eat the chick crumble. As long as they have chick starter feed and plenty of fresh water that is changed regularly, you should be fine.

I am using the medicated chick starter and have not given them anything else. Some people give their chicks treats but I haven't done that yet although I'm prepared to very soon as I bought some mealy worms for them. I have read here that it is a great treat to get the chicks to come to you for their snack. But once you offer other things to eat, you should provide grit. Hope this helps.

Many people on this site also firmly believe in raw apple cider vinegar added to their water. Just a spoonful as it is supposed to be good for them and keeps the slime down in the waterer.

 

[duckman14]

The larger pine shavings should work fine. That's what we used. (No problems) lots of people swear by sand and I also think its an excellent way to go I just havnt tried it myself.

 

[CGChickMama]

We used pine shavings since we got our chicks when they were a week old and they are still fine today at 9 weeks. These are our first chickens too and I stress everything with them.

 

[Quailsong]

I'd personally cover the pine shavings with paper towels (not newspaper, too slippery) until they know without a doubt what is food & what isn't. After a week they should be okay around pine shavings. But not until they know the feeder well.

 

[settingdusk]

I was using pine shavings but it gets/holds water pretty easily and my chicks are real sloppy eaters/drinkers. I am thinking of switching to all purpose sand. To keep smell and litter turn over to a minimum. We also pick ours up all the time. The littlest one peeps constantly if she is cold and then I put her under my shirt. If I try to take her out she moves deeper in or around to stop me so she can snuggle lol.

 

[wesandsam]

I don't use any with my chicks, the are keeped on a mesh with a wooden slider coverend in plastic so I can hose of the poop easy and the birds are not walking in it all the time. I find it way easier to keep clean that way. When they are old enough to be away from the heat lamp they go to a coop with SPF chips till they are finished the grower and are moved in with the other chickens

 

[SteamChick]

Wow, thanks all for the responses! I'll give the pine a try since I have a whole bag of it. And the paper towels.

 

[wesandsam]

Oh forgot to say if you have a lumber mill close by, most of the time you can get your shavings from them... I get mine for 5$ a truck load, in a 1\4 tone truck and we just bag it up when we get home. The three mills by our place only cut spruce and pine so the make a lot of soft wood chips.

 

[duckman14]

Oh forgot to say if you have a lumber mill close by, most of the time you can get your shavings from them... I get mine for 5$ a truck load, in a 1\4 tone truck and we just bag it up when we get home. The three mills by our place only cut spruce and pine so the make a lot of soft wood chips.

 

Thanks for the idea!! I like it