Using Pine shavings for Chicks?

[Petej]

I'm getting ready to set-up the brooder and am wondering if I can use the pine litter I have for the big cage, in the brooder for the chicks?

Or should I go with Newspaper?

I've keep seeing people that have used either/or so which would be better?

 

[Rainwolf]

I use a old dish towel or the shelf liner stuff (like in the photo below) for the first few days then they can go on whatever.

I would not use newspaper as it is slick and you will get spraddle leg chicks if you put then on a slick surface.
Pull the chicks as soon as dry and show them where the water is. (water dish should have marbles/stones in it so they can walk on top of it and not get to wet or drown.. they tend to always try and swim.

I like the rag or shelf stuff since I just change it out and toss in a bucket. Soak rags/shelf liner in the bucket (kinda like rinsing) then put in washer and wash!

This is my button but I use the same setup for the coturnix as well (first week)

Second week they get either a water nipple or a bottle waterer choice since they can't drown in those.
3rd week I add a small J feeder for food
4th week they go out to the grow out pen to be acclimatized to outside (reducing heat etc)
6th week I try and start tagging boys (I have white, ranges and goldens)
7th week girls get tossed into the adult pen! boys get tossed into bachelor pen.

 

[Robo]

Newspaper that is not shredded will cause spayed leg. I like oine shavings, but they cost more. With pine shavings the natural scent helps cover up the odor and they are not hard no the chick's feet.

 

[Petej]

Sweet thank you for the ideas! I have shredded paper at the ready (it's plentiful inmy house and cheaper than pine shavings.

I will use towels until they are old enough to navigate the paper.

Pics coming soon of the brooder....

 

[Stellar]

You can also use yesterday's news unscented. it's pelleted bedding but it works too. I use it on coturnix chicks and button chicks. If I don't have that handy I use pine shavings or shedded newspaper. As long as it's not flat you are good to go

 

[Rainwolf]

wood stove pellets work well too. you can sift it too and put the large stuff back in and take the small dirty stuff and place in compost pile.

 

[Petej]

I didn't think of the wood pellets! Those are relatively cheap where I am, plus they could be burned when done....(smelly yes, but since I have a shop or two to heat out here, I could burn them in the wood-stove out there....)

 

[Petej]

The brooder is now set-up!

In progress, freshly washed and dried. Towels are in. Will switch to paper once the chicks gain their "walking" legs...

Seems like a good place for it. Next to the Incubator.

All done!

1/4" hardware mesh over the top and a 150 watt red heat lamp. The bottom of the brooder sit at about 90 degrees after some adjustment of the height of the lamp. Just about right!

 

[JJMR794]

Quote:
PETE THATS PERFECT! ONCE THEY ARE ABOUT A WEEK OLD YOU CAN SWITCH TO REGULAR NEWSPAPER (THEIR LEG JOINTS WILL BE SET BY THEN AND SPRADDLE LEG IS NO LONGER A PROBLEM)

 

[Petej]

At least I know we have it right!

I keep hearing a random cheep from somewhere. It's not from the big Quail cage! I haven't been able to pin out down, but maybe it's

time? I can't see any pips in the Quail eggs though....