What is the best bedding material for chicks? (Cheap and easy)

[Henrik Petersson]

I'm re-awakening this thread.

Hatching chicks this spring, and I'm torn whether I can use wood shavings right away. Half of the people seem to say "it works fine, never had a problem", while the other half say "they'll eat the wood shavings, put them on towels the first week".

Shavings would be handy, because then they could roam the whole coop from day 1 (we have no other chickens right now).

 

[pibb]

I've only brooded one time (with chicks that were a couple days old) but I used wood shavings and never saw a chick eat it. Not sure what kind of wood they are but I still have the bag and can check if you want. They came from Tractor Supply. I am going to use them again if needed and I also will try pine straw since its free.

 

[Henrik Petersson]

I've only brooded one time (with chicks that were a couple days old) but I used wood shavings and never saw a chick eat it. Not sure what kind of wood they are but I still have the bag and can check if you want. They came from Tractor Supply. I am going to use them again if needed and I also will try pine straw since its free.

I'm not worried about toxicity, only that they'll eat it and it won't be good for them, well, because it's wood.