When can I change from paper towels to bedding?

[Quailer21]

My chicks are about 2 days old and are on papertowels right now, but when can I replace the papertowels with pineshavings??

 

[mmktdox]

I put several layers of paper towels over the shavings, remove the dirty layers each day for four days and by the fourth day they are on the shavings. They pick at them a bit at first but I've never had any issues.

 

[Keltara]

You can do it now. As long as your baby chicks have figured out that the feeder is where their food is, you'll be able to make the switch. Make sure that you keep the water and food elevated to the level of their back. You will need to be vigilant with the water as pine shaving tend to get into it. I kept paper towel under the waterer and that took care of that problem while they were very little. As they get bigger, I would put wood or bricks under the feeder and waterer to elevate it off the floor of the brooder and thus keep the shavings out.

Kelly​

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Our Country Chronicles

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