I used to keep my previous hens on sand inside the coop but they had grass in their run. I kept them on bird sand from when I first got them but they were fully fledged chicks when I got them, so am unsure what the best surface is for newly hatched chicks.
My brooder has a mesh bottom with a droppings tray underneath, but as the sides are perspex, I can easily cover the mesh with something if needs be.
My brooder has a mesh bottom with a droppings tray underneath, but as the sides are perspex, I can easily cover the mesh with something if needs be.