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Clearing away shavings and pecking
adematteo
Our girls, Katherine, Charo and Uh-Oh, have taken to clearing the shavings away from the middle of their brooder box and have begun practicing their pecking at the cardboard floor of the box. While it would seem to be a natural activity for them, we are concerned because the exposed cardboard they are walking on is bad for their little legs per the literature. We've redistributed the shavings, but they just do it again. Any suggestions?
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Dina
Pecking instincts
I do think they get pretty strong pecking instincts and they like to "sweep" with their feet the older they get. I think at this stage perhaps try putting the shavings a little deeper (2-3") and if they keep doing it, my hunch is that they will be fine with a little space of exposed cardboard flooring. What you don't want it excessive slipping and sliding all over the box and it sounds like that is not what is going on.
DaynaLS
Right after we got their box
Right after we got their box all nice and clean, our little girls "trashed" the place before our very eyes---redistributing shavings right into their water!
Dina
raising the waterer
If the chicks are throwing a lot of shavings in their water it may help to put the waterer up on a wide block of wood to raise it an inch or so off the floor of the box (but make sure it stays stable) -- that way they are not as likely to kick shavings into it. That said, our chicks and even full grown chickens always do this, and they just drink around the shavings. Clear the shavings out of the water once a day when you change the water and they will be fine.