Pine Shavings?

[KaliChick]

We have 5 baby chicks that have hatched in the last 24 hours. 3 are currently in the brooder and 2 are still in the incubator (they hatched in the last couple of hours). Last time I hatched we just placed them on paper towels but this time I have pine shavings. They seem to be pecking at the pine (they do know where the food is as I've seen them eat from that and I've got 2 feeders in there). I can't tell if they are actually eating the shavings or just pecking (although I've seen a few strands in their beaks). Is this normal? Okay? Should I cover the shavings in paper towel for a few days?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I use paper towels on the shavings for first few days. They'll have it torn up in a few days so just leave it. I do that as it provides a better footing for new hatches and keeps the shaving out of water that has to be on the shavings when they are that small. Later I use block of wood and later a brick to put water on to attempt to keep shavings out.