Babies are eating shavings intentionally!!!

[Here_littlepeepeep]

Hey y’all. I’m a first time chicken owner. I’ve got 9 beautiful birds, 2 buff Orpingtons, 2 dark Brahmas, 2 ameracunas, 2 blue laced Wyandottes, and one white silkie. They are 3 weeks old and are INTENTIONALLY EATTING SHAVINGS (face palm) I haven’t noticed this behavior up until now. They have food (mash and dry both provided) and the mash is raised up, I provide grit although they love to dust bath in it and throw it everywhere. They will be scratching around and will eat the savings or they will jump in there food and they’ll all go crazy for whatever shavings fell into the food dish. Or they’ll find a “special piece” and they’ll fight over it. I’m confused as to why they’re doing this? And they perch on the edge of their brooder and all of there droppings end up on my laundry room floor (another face palm) and I notice there’s a few droppings that look to be almost solid pine shavings? Should I remove all the shavings for a few days? Thank you for all the advice and tips. I don’t want them to choke or end up having malnutrition.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

If they have grit I don’t think it would be fatal. My 7 month pullets eat clean shavings sometimes and never show any signs of illness. They still lay perfect eggs and act like the sassy, spoiled chickens they are.

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

I usually have my chicks on a towel or paper for the first few weeks then move them to shavings. They still may eat the shavings though...

 

[llombardo]

I've noticed mine attempt it but spit it out. Not sure what happens when I'm not sitting there staring at them.

 

[drumstick diva]

Maybe if you changed type of shavings, they wouldn't be so tasty???? Chicks are weird.
Maybe they don't like the particular feed they are getting.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I stopped using shavings after losing a few chicks to choking on them. I use sugar cane mulch, hemp or hay now.