Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 152, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 June 1919 — CHICKENS MAY EAT SHAVINGS [ARTICLE]

CHICKENS MAY EAT SHAVINGS

Not Advisable to Use Excelsior or Sawdust as Litter in Brood HouseHay Is Best (Prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.) The -use of such litter as shavings, cut excelsior and sawdust in the brooder house is not advised, if cut hay or straw is available, because the young chicks often eat some of their bedding. Eating litter "of this nature develops crop trouble which often kills the young chicks. The best cure is to prevent by using short cut hay or straw for bedding. It is soft and easy for the chicks to scratch in and is a good absorbent, while the hay, especially if clover or .alfalfa hay is used, is a good, bulky food foe chicks, in addition to being readily digestible. Sand may also be used in the brooder scratch pens where cut hay is not available, although the latter material is preferable.