I read a post about using sand in half of the brooder or in the whole thing does any one know where it is. Also I was thinking about doing that is their any down side to making the whole brooder sand? My chicks are 2 weeks old if that makes a difference. Oh if half and half is better than any ideas oon how to speparate the 2 sides. Thanks soo much.
I was just looking for an answer to this myself. Just went to all sand in the adult pens and run. want to switch baby and grow pens but don't know if this is a problem.
I just built a new brooder yesterday. Its 3'x4' by 2' high. I divided it with a 1' tall board that has a lil doorway in it. I put pine shavings in 1/2 with a roost and some grass clipppings. The other side I put sand in it (2 bricks one to hold the water and one for the feeder) they love it.
I have switched to using sand in my brooders. The only down side is that the sand is not as absorbant as shaings so the poop sits on top. But you can easily just skim it off the sand with a small shovel or other scooping device. The sand is safer for the chicks to eat and actually works as grit in their digestion. Plus, the sand holds and radiates heat from their lamp making them warmer and very happy. They enjoy digging in it, and when they do throw it in their water in just sinks to the bottom rather than making a huge wet mess. If you clean often the sand seems much more sanitary to me, and the chicks love it. Good luck.
