Wood Chips (What type?)

[Litewings]

What is the best type of wood chips to use in a brooder / breeding cage / coop?

I'm told not to use "cedar" and have been using pine. Is the larger chips (1/4 to 1 inch) better the the fine shavings?

I'm new to this game. I've got 6 white Jap eggs turing in the incubator in the garage as I type (and one under a pigeon in the pigeon loft). I've set up a brooder with the larger wood chips described above. Is there any concern about the chicks or adults eating the finer shavings?

Litewings

p.s. Everyone say a prayer my wife doesn't notice the small incubator in the garage.

 

[gumpsgirl]

First off,

!!! Glad to have you join us! Second, pine is good. You are correct about the cedar and not using it. It can cause health issues for your chickens. I personally use kiln dried pine, so that it is nice and dry and doesn't have much odor to it. In the brooder I, along with many others here on BYC, cover the pine shavings with paper towels for the first week or so. This is done to prevent the chicks from eating the shavings and encourages them to eat their food. Once they figure out what their food is, they shouldn't bother with eating the shavings and you can remove the paper towels.

I will say a prayer that your wife doesn't see the bator in the garage!

It sounds like you are going to fit in with us all very nicely!

 

[BeckyLa]

I use pine shavings that I buy at my feed store and are labeled stall shavings. They are the larger size you mention. I don't use the finer stuff because it can cause crop problems. I also ad DE to dry out the poop so the bedding stays dryer longer. As for the brooder, I usually spread paper towels over the shavings for the first week or so of a chicks life and sprinkle some starter around. This way they can learn what feed is and will not eat the shavings later. Have fun!!

As for your wife, let her watch those babies come out of the egg and you'll have a hatchaholic on your hands.

 

[ChickaD]

welcome to the flock!

 

[Litewings]

Thanks Guys, and thanks for making me feel welcome.

Litewings