Sand ?

[Maximus]

Can you put sand in the bottom of the brooder right from the start?

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Yes you can. I start my chicks off in their brooder with dirt, no shavings (from nursery's with no fertilizer) and they won't get pasted up. The dirt does have little chicky sized sand grains in it so its a perfect mix. And with the heat lamp it'll heat up the dirt, and it'll be a chicky paradise when they learn to dust!