I just removed the paper towels and they are now on the pine shavings. I did this just this morning because I read that after three days you can do this. Now I am on someones website who raises chickens and it says to leave the paper towels there for TWO WEEKS! They were hatched this past Tuesday and arrived to me this past Friday. So they are 6 days old and have been here in the brooder for three days. Do I need to (*quickly) put those paper towels back over the shavings or am I ok?
HMMMMM...... I've always put down shavings right away !!!! Even use them right after they hatch, never had a problem.... Why PT's and not shavings ????
I think others have experienced "spraddle-leg" condition on thier chicks when using shavings right away (the shavings create a slippery condition for the developing chicks in the first week or so, and tyhey can sprain their hips). I just used paper towels to make sure I didn't wind up with any spraddle-legged chicks. You can do a search on this in the FAQ.
Sometimes I do paper towel for a day or two, often just onto shavings. As long as they learn their food, they should be fine. Never had problem of slippery shavings, since their feet are so small, but if you have news paper down and not enough shavings that could be bad.
Quote:I did the same thing, having forgotten to put paper towels down. My chicks were fine on the shavings. I made sure everyone knew where their food was when I first put them in the brooder.