I am building an addition (actually seperate) to my present coop. This will be mainly for new chicks. The floor can be raised 9" or ground level. If it is raised can I safely use the small 1/4" hardware cloth for the baby chicks? Yes, raising chicks on wire is fine. Youw ant to use 1/4 inch for the 1st 2 weeks. Then switch to 1/2 inch hardware cloth for the rest of their time in the brooder section. I have raised Marans(a heavy breed) on wire very successfully. Just do not raise them on slick surfaces like newspaper to avoid spraddle legs and curled toes. River sand is better and cheaper than playground sand, plus you avoid the silica issue. Several listers have been using sweet PDZ ( a horse stall freshner) mixed in small amounts with the sand. It seems to be working ok, the chicks haven't been eating it so far. Then they use a reptile scoop to scoop the poop out of the sand.
If not is sand OK ? (washed play sand). Also can I use the rabbitt type waters if I watch and make sure everyone knows where the water is. Thank you !
Yes, chicks can be taught to use nipple waterers. Instead of the rabbit ones, check out the "poop free" chicken waterers on the Net. The nipple apparatus is easy for chicks to learn. Whichever you use, nipple or standard waterer, Buy some Poultry Nutri-Drench and put 2cc per gallon of water in their waterer for the 1st 2 weeks. PND is concentrated and the $7.-$10. bottle is plenty for your chicks. This is an excellent solution to provide the chicks with extra energy vitaimins, minerals and enzymes.
Best,
Karen
