Adult ducks eating pine shavings

[3speckled3]

I was changing the bedding in the duck house (I use pine shavings) and all of my ducks immediately started to eat it when they realized what I was doing. This isn't something I've noticed them do before and I'm wondering if I should be concerned.

I tried looking it up, but all of the results were for ducklings and none of mine are under 8 months old.

Also they could have potentially been eating it previously when I wasn't out there to see, but I feel it's better to be safe than sorry and ask.

 

[sourland]

Do they have access to grit?

 

[3speckled3]

Do they have access to grit?

they do

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Mine do it every time I add new dry shavings. I think it's just them exploring and playing with the new texture. They never gobble a bunch, but they definitely like to do it

 

[Evadig]

Mine nosed around in the shavings but I’ve never seen them eat it.
Now I use straw as it’s much more economical.

 

[telandra2]

My ducks rummage on the pine trees, especially in fall and winter. I once tossed a rotting pine branch into the pool thinking it would be a fun floaty and the ducklings demolished it.