Using Artificial Turf In The Brooder?

[SubmarineChick]

Hi!
While I've raised chicks in the past, this will be our first time raising guinea keets and I have a question about the bedding in the brooder. I read online that you can use artificial turf, then just hose it off. Does anyone here have any experience with that? Do I just get the artificial grass they have in the craft section of Walmart, or do I need something more heavy duty than that? Do I still put paper towels on top? I'm assuming this eliminates the need for shavings as they grow up (until they're out of the brooder, anyway,) is that correct?
Another recommendation was the use of "textured shelf liner"---does that mean the grippy rubber stuff that has tiny holes in it?
What would be best to use in the brooder?

 

[GlennLee]

Haven't tried artificial turf. I have used shelf liner - yes, the grippy rubber stuff with holes - to transport birds. It provides a good non-slip surface, but stuff gets lodged in and under it - a great place for maggots to develop unless it's changed out and cleaned underneath regularly.

This year, I've switched from newspaper and paper towels to using a bath towel. It gets rolled up and changed out daily. A bit of a mess to shake out and hose off and then I double wash to sanitize, but it works for me. I won't use paper towels anymore - I lost two keets - their excrement was very watery this year and the two fell asleep in a wet spot. The bath towels soak that up and provide a fluffier base. Once they are eating their food and drinking their water regularly, I switch over to a combination of wood chips and / or pine pellets.

No bedding is perfect - they all have their plusses and minuses. Just have to find your personal preference and go with it.

Good luck being a new guinea parent. There's always something going on with them and you'll have lots of stories to tell!

 

[eleaf]

My only concern with artificial turf would be the keets pecking at and eating the fake grass.

 

[SubmarineChick]

Thanks for the advice!! I bought a bunch of bath towels and have been using those in the brooder--works great!! I'll switch them over to shavings and pine pellets next week and hope for success!! Super thankful to be able to come here and get advice from people with far more experience than I have!!

 

[GlennLee]

So glad to hear the bath towels worked for you. They are a bit messy, but they keep them safe from slipping and drier than newspaper and paper towels. I can't take credit for the idea; got it from a friend, but really appreciated it. Good luck with your keets and keep us posted on their progress.

 

[Harris14]

We used puppy pads for our poults. Changed out daily. Works great.