Please help... sand in brooder question

[tjparker60]

Just got my baby chicks on Wednesday. I have them in a brooder with sand underneath paper towels. Was going to make sure they were eating good and then in a few days is take the paper towels away. Before setting up my brooder I did tons of research and decided sand would be ideal. The other night I decided to do more research and came across this article so now I'm afraid to use the sand! Please help me!!!
http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2013/07/the-real-scoop-on-using-sand-in-your.html?m=1

 

[Pork Pie]

Wood shavings, covered with paper towels are an option. Other members use wire mesh. I'm sure that there are lots of alternatives to sand.

 

[Dmontgomery]

I actually went the opposite from CT. We put down puppy training pads then covered them with pine shavings. 20 chicks in a 2x4 brooder for a couple weeks then doubled the size of the brooder for 3 more weeks. We changed out shavings every other day and only went thru 1 bag before they moved to the big coop. Never any bad smells and the chicks seemed to love it.
I've never used sand in a brooder or in my coop. I would think it would be too hot down here. I didn't read the article so I don't know what those specific concerns are.

 

[Pork Pie]

I actually went the opposite from CT. We put down puppy training pads then covered them with pine shavings. 20 chicks in a 2x4 brooder for a couple weeks then doubled the size of the brooder for 3 more weeks. We changed out shavings every other day and only went thru 1 bag before they moved to the big coop. Never any bad smells and the chicks seemed to love it.
I've never used sand in a brooder or in my coop. I would think it would be too hot down here. I didn't read the article so I don't know what those specific concerns are.

The article seemed to focus on chicks confusing sand for feed and crop impaction / poop issues, if I recall correctly.

 

[Dmontgomery]

Yeah. I read it after posting. I guess that's possible. It wouldn't take much sand to kill them when they are that small.