Warning about shavings in the brooder

[CalicoFarm]

I just wanted to warn everyone. I just had a week old dutch bantam get a shaving stuck in his mouth. Luckly, I have them in the living room. I heard him chirping loudly and looked to see his mouth open and shaking his head. I had to get the tweezers to pull it out. Most of the shavings are about an inch square, he found the only tiny, rolled up one, lol.

 

[ranchhand]

Thanks for the warning! Glad you were there to help out.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

It happens some times. Expecially for chicks that are very young. But I wouldnt suggest not using shavings as its a good subtrate to use for any age of chickens. From chicks to adults. Just have to be sure that the chick is a few days old before you put them on any. You could put news paper or paper towels over the shavings for the first few days.

 

[happyhensny]

I found that our little ones tried to either eat them or play with them. Switched to paper towels for a couple of weeks. Expensive but worth it..

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

I always keep chicks up to 10 days on paper towel,the smaller the chick the longer on the toweling, keeps the water cleaner too.

 

[mmtillman]

Quote:
Thanks , you just answered my next question ....!

My chicks are a week old...gonna go out and see how they like yogurt this morning...!

 

[3peeps]

I use my husband's old t-shirts, also. I fold them in half, use the top until it's dirty, then shake it off and flip it over. Use your judgment. If it's really soiled, throw it out. I don't wash mine...I don't want to. We put newspaper underneath that, and I've used paper towels.
'
I contemplated using thrifted cut up sheets next time, but you'd have to be careful that they don't pull at any strings or threads. My husband suggested tucking the edges under so all they had access to was folds.

They like soft cloth to sleep on, and I think it provides decent traction so they don't get leg problems supposedly associated with plain newspaper.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

I've read were someone uses old socks.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Oooh old socks! I have a couple of bags of socks that have lost their mates and you know, that might be a good use for them.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

just make sure there are no strings,