wire floor for newly hatched chicks?

[bkvail]

I have a solid bottom brooder, but I would prefer to use a wire bottom brooder if I could (it has 1/2''x1/2'' wire). So much easier to keep clean. Could I use this for newly hatched welsummer chicks? (they aren't hatched yet, just thinking ahead).

 

[Winsor Woods]

I think you should be alright with that. You might want to just lay some newspaper over the wire for the first couple days but after that it sounds good.

Dan

Edit: I think paper towels would probably be better than newspaper. It would give them more traction to help prevent spraddle.