woodstove pellets for brooder bedding

[yomama]

I was just wondering if anyone uses wood pellets for their brooder bedding. I'm currently using pine shavings and although it is working just fine, it is really aggravating my allergies. Straw does the same thing. Since the brooder is in the house ( no other option), I would love to use something else. I have used woodstove pellets for my house rabbits and goats for years, with no problems what so ever. Also, all the feed stores in my area use them for their new chicks as well. Just wanted to make sure that there wasn't anyone out there that has had a bad experience with it, before I tried it.

Thanks!

 

[AkTomboy]

I use my woodstove pellets and shavings combo I think they work great! I dont see why you couldnt try it and see how/if it works for you

 

[DaveD]

Someone on here mentioned that there is a pellet used for bedding, just like the woodstove ones but a little lest compacted and I think it was cheaper.

-David

 

[Kiwibird]

I use kibbled maize for newly hatched chick bedding. It is supposed to be better for them if they eat some of the fine bits than wood shavings, which is why I tried it, and I am very happy with it. Mostly it is too big for them to eat, so they eat what they are supposed to.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
You are right, the horse stall bedding pellets are slightly less compacted, but at TSC this winter the woodstove kind were 60cents cheaper per 40# bag. Both work equally well in the adult coop, but I've only used the bedding kind for brooders so I can't say.

I can say they work great in the brooder!!

Same chicks a week later, in bigger digs

 

[crazyhen]

Be sure if you use these pellets that they don't have exsellerant in them. Some do. Otherwise they would be fine. Gloria Jean

 

[yomama]

Thanks for the imput. Just wondering, how deep do you make the bedding? I'm thinking maybe a couple of inches thick?

Thanks!

 

[Ozark Chicken]

Glad you started this thread. I had the same question, wood pellets are relatively cheap here. I'm tired of running paper through the shredder for bedding

 

[felidaet]

We have been using wood stove pellets for our two pet bunnies for the past year and they work great. We originally used pine shavings for them but found that the pellets work much better. About a month ago I noticed that one of our local feed stores was using wood pellets in their brooders. They had the pellets on sale (about 1/2 price) and so I bought several bags to use in my chick brooder this year. I have read several threads here on BYC of other people using wood pellets.

Since I have not used the pellets for chicks before I also have a new bag of pine shavings sitting in the garage just in case I feel an urgent need to switch. If I don't use them in the brooder I will use them in the coop.