pine shavings or wire?

[JamesA]

I wanted to see if people prefer raising chicks on pine shavings or on wire(maybe hardware cloth) If you have 25-50 chicks or even more they can be really messy.So what is safest and easiest? What is the best way to brood larger amounts of chicks?

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I would think that wire would be just as messy because not all of the poo is going to make it through the wire but coating the wire to be stepped on and slept on.

Plus the little ones aren't going to be able to scratch, which chicks do a lot of. If they can't be scratching to keep busy, I would think they would start picking on each other.

And I wouldn't think wire would be very good for their feet and growing legs.

I wouldn't use wire - ever.

I used shavings for my standards and wood pellets for my banties. LOVED the pellets.

 

[sandy sea]

I use paper towels for the first couple of days than wood shavings.

 

[gritsar]

I used shavings.

 

[homeschoolmama]

I got tired of shavings after a while and used play sand. Really easy to scoop poop up with a (new) kitty litter scoop. And the "kids" had a blast scratching around and dust bathing in it. Also no need for grit that way, if you are serving any treats besides chick starter. I'd go that route again.

 

[bigdawg]

use sand. do not i repeat do not use paper towels unles you want spradle legged chicks. paper is just to slick. i learned the hard way. i would go with the sand. getting myself some tonight.......