Is sugar cane mulch OK for brooker?

[tonim]

I was wanting to lay something in the base of the brooder but can't find pine shavings locally. Is sugar cane mulch OK or what is the norm please?
I heard newspaper is too slippery

My first hatch. Thanks

 

[Eris]

From what I've seen on here things people have used for a brooder are pine (not cedar) shavings, rice hulls, straw, hay, paper towels, regular towels, or sand. Just something absorbent but not slippery. I think your pretty open to what you would like to use as long as you clean it regularly and its not slippery. Let us know what you decide to use.

 

[tonim]

Thanks for that, I'm worried about the warning on the sugar cane mulch bale that says "do not inhale"and warns of microbial spores etc.
The paper towels are getting expensive so I might just go and get some clean fine hay instead.

 

[Erica]

I agree tonim, chopped hay would be better. Sugar cane mulch can be a little dusty.
cheers
Erica

 

[SteveBaz]

Do you have a animal supply they will have a compressed bag of shavings for around $6 and opens up to 9 or 10 cu yds?

 

[Eris]

I don't know much about sugar cane mulch other than I've heard it used for gardening, but I don't know the reasoning for that. If you cant find shavings or saw dust, then I would say go for sand, you might be able to find it in your yard or around town somewhere and they normally sell it at hardware stores.