What kind of shavings for baby chics?

[jason9111]

Just got some babies today and have them in the good old 96 quart clear rubbermaid container with the warming light. Wondering what to put underneath them. I noticed people said pine shavings, but I can only find cedar shavings. I have plenty of hay in the backyard (light covering of that okay?) I have a few pieces of newspapers under them now. I have 2 silkies, RIR, and a barred rock (all bitties). Man, I didn't realize these things had so many bowel movements, lol. Is the newspaper okay, or any other suggestions. Thanks for any advice.

 

[happyhensny]

If your babies are day-olds, we use PINE, never use cedar-it is poisonous to chicks.

Layer about an inch or so of pine shavings in the bottom of the brooder then lay paper towels over them. The shavings absorb moisture and the paper towels prevent new babies from eating shavings until they understand the difference between shavings and food. Usually about a week for the towels. Good luck.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
How old are they? If they're under 2 weeks old (under 1 week minimum) DEFINITELY not hay or newspaper (too slippery-splay leg danger) and NOT cedar shavings b/c they are toxic to their delicate respiratory systems. I ALWAYS use several layers of papertowels on top of pine shavings until they're at least a week old. It prevents spraddle leg AND it makes clean-up super easy (just remove the top layer of paper towels when it gets messy and clean ones are underneath!). PLUS, it prevents them from eating the pine shavings in the beginning.
After a week or two, I take out the paper towels and they just have pine shavings for bedding. Any Petco, Tractor Supply or Wal-mart has pine bedding (Tractor supply has it the cheapest and in the biggest bags...you'll need it!).

Welcome to BYC and chicken-keeping! Good luck with your new babies, they're a joy!

 

[Willow's Meadow]

there are these pellet things that I hear are good. Not sure what there called, they're at TSC. by the way

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

I am using Equine wood pellets from TSC. I still used paper towels over them to give the babies better traction the first week or so.

Peggy

 

[KristaBeth]

I use pine shavings - bought a huge bale of them at my local feed store for a little over $5. I think I also saw them at Wal Mart, but in smaller bags.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I haven't used anything but kiln-dried pine shavings for some years now. Never had a bedding related problem.

.....Alan.

 

[babypeeps]

I can't even remember what kind of shavings we used last year but they did fine but I'm glad someone said that cedar were toxic. I have to pick up some more shavings myself. thanks for the information

good question!

 

[felidaet]

I am using pine bedding pellets in the brooder this year. I like them much better for the little chicks than pine shavings. I did cover them for about the first week with paper towels.

In the coop (for the bigger birds) I use pine shavings.

 

[stevin]

could wood pellets from a pellet burning stove be used? i still have well over half a ton left from this past winter. there is nothing on the bags indicating that they have any sort of accelerant in them. i know that they are made of soft wood....