When do I remove the paper towels?

[MRNpoultry]

I was going to use pine shavings but then I thought about straw so it whould be harder to eat why pine shavings over straw?

 

[ozark hen]

I keep my chicks on paper towels for a week and then switch to shavings. I put my feeder and waterer up on a piece of two by four or any other block of wood that will fit in there. They learn.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I should add this to my chick guide. Straw when damp can attract bugs. Plus it dont smell so good when damp

. also I have heard that har or straw can hide mites. Pine smells good and it absorbes better IMO

 

[MRNpoultry]

I was just wondering since when we got chicks last year at the feed store said to use straw. I'lll get pine shavings then. They are messing up the towels now.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I know. That was a good question to ask. I have used it and never got mites. But the smell was horrid (kind of musty) and it made everything muddy with the spilt water and poo. Took me 3 hours to get the new carboard box setup and my floor to be clean. It s not fun to do. lol

 

[MRNpoultry]

It did smell really bad last year.

 

[tataharris]

Ok, since there was talk about shavings.... I have a question..... I overheard at the feed store that cedar shavings can kill chickens. Is this true?????

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I posted this into my chick guide. Cedar will kill them. it has oils which mess up there respiratory system.

 

[Buster]

Quote:
Yeah, I have always been told that you don't want to have cedar shavings around your chickens.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

anything cedar enclosed in a area is bad for them to be honest.