Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[LAB]

I have my 7 day old chicks in a puppy playpen with puppy pads lining the bottom. I've been able to quickly change the pads out twice a day. It takes more time to wash out their water container. I have pine shavings for chickens that the guy at the feed supply store sold me. Should I start using it? Do I need to use it? I'm trying to wrap my head around trying to clean the pen when it has the shavings in it. The puppy pads take like a minute to completely change over! The sweet chicks know to go to one side while I change half and then go to the other side while I change the other half. Do they need the shavings to be happy?

[sjp]

I use shaving from day one with or without a broody just make sure it's dust free or dust extracted same thing really it's just how their marketed in the UK all horse bedding is or should be dust free which is what most of us use

they start to dust bath in it from about 10-24 days old as the new feathers come through I put the feeder and drinker on an old concrete block about 4 inch thick just to keep the feed a water from getting to much bedding in them, the chicks can cope with the height from a day old it gives them a bit of extra play area as well jumping up and down and running around the feeder and drinker

[Chickabee]

They do like something to scratch around in. I usually use soft wood chip on thick kitchen roll. The puppy pads are a great idea though

[LAB]

Hmmm, would it work to make them a dust bath out of the shavings? Put them in a box and let them do their thing? I'm sure that they will make a mess with them, but it might be more contained!

[The Dogmother]

It is important that they are allowed to practice social actions like scratching and dustbathing. I can see that puppy pads are easy for you, but they will need to be able to perform the scratching function as they feed.

 

I use a non-slip matting for the first week, under a layer of Aubiose (hemp) bedding, to prevent any slipping and splayed legs. I take it out after a few days when they all look to be stable on their pins.

[Luvachicken]

Puppy pads are great though if you have a poorly chicken that needs to stay indoors in a cage.

Much cosier than sheets of newspaper if they are feeling peaky.

[LAB]

They scratch out their food onto the floor, scratch it up and swipe it with their beaks. Then they poop and peck at the poop and the food after spreading it everywhere! I keep having to clean my marans feathered feet. Would the pine shavings cut down on that or would it make it even worse not being able to see the poop?

 

My 3yr old twins helped me make a dustbath box. We cut off the flaps of a shallow box and put shavings in it. They don't seem interested at all so far, but do enjoy perching on the box a bit. We'll see how the experiment works.

 

This is Roxanne, she thinks she's a lap chicken!

[Chickabee]

If you raise the food and water this will prevent this from happening