What kind of bedding to use?

[ScotianChick]

I started my first chicks on papertowel last time to be sure they knew what their food was. But I can't remember when to switch to something else or what I used... was it pine chips or shavings? Is that what is best?

 

[<3ChickenForever]

Saw dust worked for our chicks, keeps the chicks warm if you have a heat lamp.

 

[FMAFarms]

Pine shavings...inexpensive, they absorb birdie poo, and quick to change every day. Never cedar, but you probably knew that already!

 

[ScotianChick]

So just those shavings you can get at the grocery store for things like hamsters? Those are pine

And when can I start my chicks on them. They were born on the 15th, 16th and 17th.

 

[FMAFarms]

Yep, you can get the shavings at the pet supply store, the feed store, Tractor Supply, even our market sells them but we're out here in farm country so they better! We were told to line our brooder with newspaper, put about 2 inches of shavings in, then top it with either paper towels or hardware mesh for the first two weeks, then remove the paper towels/mesh. And to change the shavings daily. The paper towels/mesh prevent splayed legs. I don't see why you can't put your little chicks in now, but it's been a few years since I had chicks so others with more recent experience might have something else to say!

 

[gmendoza]

Mine have pine shavings. I recently have 3 dark cornish chicks,one ee chick,and 3 golden wyandotte chicks

I converted my shower in my bathroom as a brooder.Looks cool!

 

[FMAFarms]

Gmendoza, THANK YOU!!!!!!! I just tried to delay our chick order since we got more than a foot of snow overnight, and I was worried that I'd have nowhere for our chicks to go. But we have a spare bathroom that no one uses, so maybe we'll use that as our in-between brooder between baby brooder and coop!

 

[gmendoza]

Well ours works good.I had to cut a pine pallet board and hammer a nail in the middle and bend it with a pliers to hand a light from it on a rope. The light is a 90watt bulb but it keeps em at 90-95 degrees. I used carboard in the front because its one of those closet showers,but it didnt have a door yet.Then tossed down 2-3 inches of pine havings. Added food,water,chicks.done and done.

 

[ScotianChick]

Old aquariums work too. I have a HUGE brooder box but it's kind of soaked and caked in snow outside right now. Aquariums work well

 

[shesaredroan]

My 'bator and newborn brooder are on the counter in my guest bathroom, it's now called the 'hatchatorium'.

The newborn brooder (after bitties have dried or a bit longer).....(clear plastic tub from Wally World, about 12"x18") has paper towel on bottom, food, water and clip light for heat (about 95* to 100*).

As the bitties get bigger (about a week or so) I move them to the brooder on the floor, which is a #3 washtub with medium pine shaving on the bottom, .....food and water are put on a brick to raise the level, to cut down on shaving in both.........and of course a clip light for heat. As the chicks start trying their wings, I put a screen on top of the washtub. I learned that one the hard way, after chasing bitties all around the bathroom, or being awakened in the middle of the night by a little one CHEEPING at the top of it's lungs cause it's gotten out of the washtub and is now on the floor... ALL BY Its Self.

Good luck with your little ones.