What material is best to put in the brooder?

[jeapa]

I just put my brooder together today ( I got a watermelon box from Walmart) I put pine shavings in the bottom. Is this what is best? Do I need paper towel or anything else? I am running a 250w heat lamp and I am testing the temp to see how hot it gets. Since I have the brooder out in the coop I figured I would need the 250 w since it can get downing the 50's at night.

I feel like a nervous mother waiting for my chicks to arrive. I have 12 coming this week

 

[leadwolf1]

For the first several days to a week, I would put paper towels on top on the shavings. You want the babies to learn to eat their food and not the shavings. I just replace the paper towels every morning. Actually, I rather enjoyed the days of paper towels, it kept shavings out of the food and water

 

[Fred's Hens]

Ask 6 people, get 6 answers. Paper towel, straw, shavings, etc. All of these have fans.
What no one likes is slick newsprint. That's a no no. Don't want the chicks splaying legs, etc.

 

[Kay56]

Hi..my chicks are a week old today and I am still using paper towels over aspen shavings (I'm allergic to pine shavings) and I much prefer the paper towels to the messy shavings. I know by now they can go off the paper towels but I just don't want change them just yet...it is so much easier to clean. I had no idea just how much they poop.

I saw on here somewhere that a member was using paper towels over a window screen type box placed in a Rubbermaid type tub. Looked very neat and easy to use.

 

[jeapa]

Ask 6 people, get 6 answers.   Paper towel, straw, shavings, etc.  All of these have fans.
What no one likes is slick newsprint.  That's a no no.  Don't want the chicks splaying legs, etc.

Thanks Fred. I think I will stick with the pine shavings then. I plan to use the deep litter method for the coop so I have lots of pine shavings..LOL

 

[jeapa]

Thanks for all the quick replies. I like this group so much. The information here is so helpful and everyone just jumps in to respond.

 

[bj taylor]

if you happen to have them, puppy pads are great on top of pine shavings. they are a little rough so good for traction & they can absorb more than paper towels before getting fouled so you don't have to replace as often.
hope you have a lot of fun with your new babies.

 

[Izzymoon]

if they look like they are having trouble standing with the shavings then add some paper towels, I really loved using them and did until they started getting bored and shredding the towels. It helps their legs get strong, even if only for a day or 2..I wish I could still use the towels. I just put mine (a month old) in a watermelon box and with shavings and fluff flying everywhere. The box is great cause I added some branches, used the bottom of the light and they are starting to roost. They should be ready for the great outdooors soon

*fan of the paper towels*

 

[NorCalJulianna]

Ask 6 people, get 6 answers. Paper towel, straw, shavings, etc. All of these have fans.
What no one likes is slick newsprint. That's a no no. Don't want the chicks splaying legs, etc.

I understand cedar shaving is not good for chicks.

 

[chicken_fun]

I just put my brooder together today ( I got a watermelon box from Walmart) I put pine shavings in the bottom. Is this what is best? Do I need paper towel or anything else? I am running a 250w heat lamp and I am testing the temp to see how hot it gets. Since I have the brooder out in the coop I figured I would need the 250 w since it can get downing the 50's at night.

I feel like a nervous mother waiting for my chicks to arrive. I have 12 coming this week

Said before but i would go either paper towels or shavings.
Paper towels are good because the chicks kick the shaving in their water and food, which leads to them eating shavings.
Both still good options, and their are a lot of opinions.