When to add pine litter to the brooder?

[neo71665]

What heat source and temp in there?

 

[RRM]

OK I'm going to be the black sheep here. I start my chicks on pine shavings from day one.

They find the food and water right away and enjoy scratching around in the shavings, but I don't see then eating it.

Same here, took each chick from the shipping container, dipped their beaks in water to get them drinking, and put them in the brooder with pine shavings only. Didn’t have to show them the feed, they found that quickly on their own after drinking.

 

[Mistizoom]

OK I'm going to be the black sheep here. I start my chicks on pine shavings from day one.

They find the food and water right away and enjoy scratching around in the shavings, but I don't see then eating it.

We put ours on pine shavings right away too. Double-dipped their beaks to show the water then added the food a few hours later. No problems.