A little nervous about the pine shavings

[hunter1hall]

My DW was complaining about the smell coming from the brooder in our LIVING ROOM, so I went and got some pine bedding to put in it. Now I am worried that they will consume it and get the compacted crawl or whatever you call it. Anyway, what are the first signs of problems? What are the odds of this actually becoming a problem? Am I paranoid? (yes i am). Please help me with this.......I wont be able to sleep.

 

[gritsar]

I forgot the paper towels when I put my chicks in their brooder for the first time. I used large flake pine shavings and didn't have a problem. They pick them up, sure. It's natural for a chick to put everything in their mouth to see if it's edible. Human baby peeps do the same thing, everything goes in the mouth. They didn't eat them or if they did, not enough to do any harm.
My DH reminded me that the chicks raised commercially go directly on shavings and they do fine. If they didn't you can be sure Tyson or Pilgrim's Pride or whoever would have all their broiler farmers putting something down on top of the shavings.
Just my two cents.

 

[goosemama]

I'm expecting some baby Welsummers in a week and I usually put them in a large finch flight cage on a table so I don't have to bend over to change their food & water or check them for pasting. I lay a thick layer of newspaper on the wire floor then a single layer of paper towels and change the paper towels once or twice a day. This has always worked well with other chicks but I have read pine chips can be harmful? I do put them on pine chips after a month or so, but not as tiny chicks. Does anyone else have experiences using pine chip bedding for day old chicks?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
As I said, I do and I think it's fine. Pine shavings are fine. Cedar shavings are to be avoided because cedar gives off aromatic oils that can cause respiratory issues in chickens. Straight newspaper is also not a good idea because it's been said to lead to spraddle leg.

 

[insiderart]

The bantam chicks I put on papertowels for a week or so. Let them get some size on them, plus it's easier for me to see if everyone is eating well. Then it's shavings for them.

For LF chicks a couple days on papertowels (again easier to see if they are eating/drinking) then shavings for them too.

As long as you know they are eating their crumbles (from the feeder) well, they'll be fine. Depending upon how large they are you might want to elevate the water/food dishes a bit to keep the shavings out as best you can.

 

[eggsited chickens]

we put ours on pine chips immediatly...haven't lost one chick!!!

 

[TXmom]

I put pine shavings in the brooder, then paper towels over the shavings for the first few days. After a few days old, they went straight onto the shavings...they picked them up and pecked at them a bit...maybe ate a little, but they were all perfectly fine. If they're eating and drinking...they should be fine.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

I used them for day old chicks twice my chicks were fine, they kick them in the water and feed so you need to clean it out often.

 

[330-Trapper]

I've had 30 silver laced Wyandottes on pine bedding for 6 weeks now, put them in the Cow watering tank with Pine bedding right out of the Shipping box.... Keep the "fine grit" available at all times Food and clean water .... you shouldn't have any problems....

Also my 8x11 coop has 3-4" of pine bedding and it Smells great in there...

 

[hunter1hall]

Thanks everyone. I get nervous when i have to change things. Especially with the fuzzy butts! Plus these are my BC marans babies!