What is the best thing to put down in the bottom of the brooder box? Last year I used really fine wood shavings but the chicks kept carring into the water dish and then the wood absorbed the water.

Still, the best material for the brooder box is pinewood shavings. Maybe you could get a larger size. Pine shavings is still the best since it absorbs fecal material. A pet store should be able to supply. You'll just have to clean out the water dish often, which would be some work.