What about using sand?

[Supermommy486]

I'm going to get the stuff for our first brooder this evening. And I was wondering what if I used sand as the flooring? The only problem I can see with this is maybe the heat lamp will make the sand too hot for them to walk on? I loathe pine shavings so if sand won't work id there anything else I can use possibly? If not that's ok, was just wondering though.

On another note tomorrow we get our Leghorns, RIR, Ameraucana, and Black Australorp!! I am SO excited.

 

[flockmom]

I have sand in my brooder, however I covered the sand with paper towels for the first week until the chicks learned the difference between sand and food. I haven't had a problem with the sand temperature either.

Have a camera ready when you remove the paper towels - my chicks went into a dust-bath frenzy when I removed the paper towels!

 

[Supermommy486]

Awesome! Thanks so much!!

 

[mayberrygirl]

What kind of sand?

 

[chicken boy sam]

I use newspaper shavings,even though many people have yelled at me for it.

 

[merryberry]

I have sand in my brooder now and I am really happy with it. Like flockmom said, I used paper towels for the first week. When I removed them, the chicks were SO excited. They also seemed to be eating a great deal of it, which worried me, but it has been fine.

One thing I have really liked is being able to scoop out the poops and have stuff for the compost pile without all kinds of pine shavings. I found a kitty litter scoop didn't catch most of the tiny chicken poops, so I bought a small colander/strainer at the dollar store and strain the sand through it.

Oh, and I bought sand at Home Depot - it is Quikcrete builders sand I think. It was around $3 for a 50 lb bag. Not quite as fine as play sand, but almost. Here is a pic or two for you:

 

[Supermommy486]

Awesome! I will have to stop by the dollar store or something and grab a colander then. And thank for the pics, awesome set up!