Good Morning Everyone!
I've been stalking BYC for the past year or so and have finally joined. We also JUST got 10 little fuzzy wonders March 28 (4 - 3 week old Buff Orps, 3 - 1 week old Speckled Sussex, 3 - 1 week old Welsummers). I've used BYC for just about everything from decided on what type of indoor and outdoor brooder I want, to which breeds I was looking for, where to buy the best chicken nipple waterers and how to build the best coop to feather sexing my little darlings (I am 80% sure that I only have 2 roos...but only time will tell that!)...the list goes on and on. So thank you BYC Members for making me feel confident in my first go at this. You are all amazing!
However, my question today I haven't found an answer for and I hope someone can help me.
My little fluffy butts are headed to the outdoor brooder soon and I will be purchasing a bale of pine shavings to add to the bedding mix. However, the only place I can purchase bales in my area (without needing to buy in bulk - what would I do with 100 pine bales?!? and how would I afford that?!) is Tractor Supply. They offer pine (along with of course - cedar, aspen and pine pellets) shavings in large bales in two types - flake and fine.
My question is - which one is better for the chicks? My gut tells me flake would be better, but I was looking for first hand experience with it. How dusty is it? Is it a mix of flakes and fine bits or is it almost all flakes? Is it a good deal or should I wait for it to go on sale before buying a big bale?
Thank you again to (IMO) the best flock on the net!
~jr
I've been stalking BYC for the past year or so and have finally joined. We also JUST got 10 little fuzzy wonders March 28 (4 - 3 week old Buff Orps, 3 - 1 week old Speckled Sussex, 3 - 1 week old Welsummers). I've used BYC for just about everything from decided on what type of indoor and outdoor brooder I want, to which breeds I was looking for, where to buy the best chicken nipple waterers and how to build the best coop to feather sexing my little darlings (I am 80% sure that I only have 2 roos...but only time will tell that!)...the list goes on and on. So thank you BYC Members for making me feel confident in my first go at this. You are all amazing!
However, my question today I haven't found an answer for and I hope someone can help me.
My little fluffy butts are headed to the outdoor brooder soon and I will be purchasing a bale of pine shavings to add to the bedding mix. However, the only place I can purchase bales in my area (without needing to buy in bulk - what would I do with 100 pine bales?!? and how would I afford that?!) is Tractor Supply. They offer pine (along with of course - cedar, aspen and pine pellets) shavings in large bales in two types - flake and fine.
My question is - which one is better for the chicks? My gut tells me flake would be better, but I was looking for first hand experience with it. How dusty is it? Is it a mix of flakes and fine bits or is it almost all flakes? Is it a good deal or should I wait for it to go on sale before buying a big bale?
Thank you again to (IMO) the best flock on the net!
~jr