Sand in brooder? Pine causing sneezing

[Harmoni]

So I already made the mistake of trying coffee grounds bedding in my brooder which in turn killed a chick. I was using part sand and part pine. The more large pine flakes I added, the more 2 of my chicks started sneezing. I'm not sure if it coincidence or what, but I just took the majority of the pine out. Leaving just the all purpose sand. The youngest of the chicks is almost 2 weeks old so I am pretty sure they know the difference between sand and food, but I am reading a lot of mixed stuff about sand in the brooder.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I have always used pine flake shavings when brooding chicks with no issues. No cedar shavings should be used. It is possible the sneezing could be coming from eating very fine starter/grower mash or even the sand if it is fine particles.

 

[kerbotx]

When you say "all purpose sand" is it mixed with tiny rocks? As long as they aren't eating the sand, then you should be good! Another option - I prefer Aspen shavings for the brooder - they are smaller, so they stick to the little poops better.

 

[Harmoni]

When you say "all purpose sand" is it mixed with tiny rocks? As long as they aren't eating the sand, then you should be good! Another option - I prefer Aspen shavings for the brooder - they are smaller, so they stick to the little poops better.

Yeah it isn't play sand. I wasn't sure if the aspen stuff was safe for chicks. All I know is that the more pine I added, making the sand to pine ratio about half and half, the more sneezing happened. I'm about to just go grab dirt from my yard at this point

 

[raingarden]

I use incandescent light bulbs for heat and learned not to put sand under the light where the chicks are. Sand stores heat and gets much hotter than shavings would.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I use natural, washed, coarse grain river sand in my coop, run, nestboxes, and brooder. I also use a heating plate instead of lights as this allows the babies to have a natural sleep cycle. For the first few days, I put down puppy pads or paper towels on top of the sand so they can easily see the chick chow, but after that, they’re fine on just the sand.

There are several sizes of brooder and the legs are adjustable so you can have it higher in the front. I stick some Press and Seal Saran Wrap on the top to make it easier to clean.

 

[Harmoni]

I use natural, washed, coarse grain river sand in my coop, run, nestboxes, and brooder. I also use a heating plate instead of lights as this allows the babies to have a natural sleep cycle. For the first few days, I put down puppy pads or paper towels on top of the sand so they can easily see the chick chow, but after that, they’re fine on just the sand.

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There are several sizes of brooder and the legs are adjustable so you can have it higher in the front. I stick some Press and Seal Saran Wrap on the top to make it easier to clean.

We use a brooder plate

 

[AGeese]

Sand is superior in many ways. I have used play sand, pine shavings, and flakes. I've seen some sneezing here and there, but nothing regular. Mostly it was me having the problems. Flakes put a lot of dust in the air if you toss it in so I try to lightly sprinkle or stir. Same with the sand.

I use natural, washed, coarse grain river sand in my coop, run, nestboxes, and brooder. I also use a heating plate instead of lights as this allows the babies to have a natural sleep cycle. For the first few days, I put down puppy pads or paper towels on top of the sand so they can easily see the chick chow, but after that, they’re fine on just the sand.

I don't know about other types of sand, but that river sand sounds choice. The play sand can release silica which is a carcinogen, when it's dry and gets stirred up. The shavings probably have a wood dust warning.

If you're an allergic person like me you'll notice, but as to the chicks I think it was more of an issue with the flake or shavings than the sand oddly (though not 100% sure)

I'm going to try coffee grounds next, but you have to use the commercial bags specifically decaffeinated purposed for animal bedding.

 

[chickfused]

Sand is a godsend. Just scoop like a litterbox every day and you never have a smelly coop or anything. I have this great shovel with holes in it, scoops it right out.

 

[Harmoni]

Sand is superior in many ways. I have used play sand, pine shavings, and flakes. I've seen some sneezing here and there, but nothing regular. Mostly it was me having the problems. Flakes put a lot of dust in the air if you toss it in so I try to lightly sprinkle or stir. Same with the sand.



I don't know about other types of sand, but that river sand sounds choice. The play sand can release silica which is a carcinogen, when it's dry and gets stirred up. The shavings probably have a wood dust warning.

If you're an allergic person like me you'll notice, but as to the chicks I think it was more of an issue with the flake or shavings than the sand oddly (though not 100% sure)

I'm going to try coffee grounds next, but you have to use the commercial bags specifically decaffeinated purposed for animal bedding.

I used the commercial stuff and it killed one of my chicks after she ingested it. I would strongly advise against it for baby chicks.
This is what I used: