I'm a first-timer with chicks and decided to go with sand. I used paper towels on top of the sand for 3 days and now they are just on sand alone. They were two weeks old yesterday. I am loving the sand! I got a reptile scoop to take care of the poop, and I have a bag of sweet pdz if it starts to smell, but so far so good. I have no other bedding to compare it to, but I'd definitely do sand again. When the girls move outside I'll be using the sand to fill in holes in the driveway, too, so it has definitely been worth it!