What would be best...?

[cyw iar]

We moved our chicks from the brooder to our screen porch - approximately 6' x 14' or so. I used maybe three bags of shavings? I just added a little every now and then. The chicks scratching and dust bathing in the shavings kept everything well mixed and dry, so there was hardly any smell at all. They were perfectly happy.

I'm happier now that they're off my porch and in the henhaus, of course, but it was a simple temporary home. Took us about two hours tops to clean up after we moved them out.

 

[coop-er]

Thank you! So sounds like they made their own dust bath- just wasn't sure if that was something I needed to put in there for them... Sounds good!

 

[coop-er]

If your willing to use pine shavings why can't it cover the entire 10x4 area? A bale of shavings is around $6 and a compressed 3 cubic foot bale/bag will easily cover that area 4 inches deep. Ask at the counter at your local supply store, bulk feed and shavings and grit and oyster shells, you name it are stored in back. Never buy the over priced stuff in front of store. You'll want plastic or something to wrap around the bottom of tractor sides or they'll be scratching the shavings out and all over your floor.

 

[coop-er]

Egghead- thanks for the info- cannot believe the volume of pine shavings in the bag! Decided to go with your advice and covered entire sq footage with pine- should definitely be enough bedding to keep them happy
until they go out into coop/yard in a month or so. Thanks for the help.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote:
You'll be glad you did when it's time to clean up because it will be far easier than straw. and it absorbs more moisture