Shavings For My Chicks? What To Do?

[Fluffy Chick 15]

My chicks are about 3 days old. In the brooder I put down news paper and then paper towels over it. I put a little tray of food out for them (which they scatter all over) I've heard about putting shavings down but, I dont want the chicks to eat the shavings. So what do I do?

 

[NonnasBabies]

I use shavings for mine and they don't eat it!! Stays much cleaner in the brooder with the shavings!! Well except their waterers!!

Missi

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I feed mine gamebird & turkey starter & I cover the floor with it so they can get traction & peck at it. You waste a little more feed this way, but I let them walk on it for the first week, until they get their "legs", then I switch to newspaper sprinkled with grit.

 

[NattiFan]

I'm using paper towel over my shavings. I've heard its good to do this for the first week so the chicks can get their footing. I'd love to continue this because clean up is a cinch! I may do half and half after the first week. Only no go is ceder shavings. Do aspen or pine.....don't do ceder and from what I heard, they'll know what food is and shouldn't have a problem with them eating shavings.

 

[NattiFan]

I'm using paper towel over my shavings. I've heard its good to do this for the first week so the chicks can get their footing. I'd love to continue this because clean up is a cinch! I may do half and half after the first week. Only no go is ceder shavings. Do aspen or pine.....don't do ceder and from what I heard, they'll know what food is and shouldn't have a problem with them eating shavings.

 

[NattiFan]

I'm using paper towel over my shavings. I've heard its good to do this for the first week so the chicks can get their footing. I'd love to continue this because clean up is a cinch! I may do half and half after the first week. Only no go is ceder shavings. Do aspen or pine.....don't do ceder and from what I heard, they'll know what food is and shouldn't have a problem with them eating shavings.

 

[NattiFan]

I'm using paper towel over my shavings. I've heard its good to do this for the first week so the chicks can get their footing. I'd love to continue this because clean up is a cinch! I may do half and half after the first week. Only no go is ceder shavings. Do aspen or pine.....don't do ceder and from what I heard, they'll know what food is and shouldn't have a problem with them eating shavings.

 

[Chicken Little Farmer]

Quote:
I did that for about two days and then took it off. i wouldnt use newspaper though, because if they DO eat it, then the ink will make them sick. They will get to know that it isnt food if you sprinkle a little bit of food over the shavings

 

[Mrs.H]

I used paper towels till they were a week old, then that was getting too messy I wanted to put shavings down but had the same fear of them eating it. So I posted on here and everyone convinced me they will be fine and guess what, they were fine!!! But mine were a week old, not 3 days. I do use a chick feeder which they dont make a mess with so there isnt much pecking around the floor for food, but still they will be ok.

 

[NattiFan]

Quote:
I did that for about two days and then took it off. i wouldnt use newspaper though, because if they DO eat it, then the ink will make them sick. They will get to know that it isnt food if you sprinkle a little bit of food over the shavings

Right. I also heard newspaper isn't the way to go.....that's why I use paper towel over my shavings. Its an easy clean up and I think for week two and maybe longer, I might do shavings in one half, and paper towel in the other half of my brooder.