Baby chicks eating pine shavings

[morningchick]

Hi All, My 3 week old chicks were moved from my dining room to the shed yesterday. I used shavings for their bedding. They were not used to shavings since I used shelf liner while inside. I have been checking on the chicks and every time I check I see them eating the shavings. Is this cause for concern and should I switch to straw? Any help would be appreciated. I have raised chicks before and never had this probem. Thanks!

 

[Curlyginger]

How big is your brooder box? When mine did this, I covered the shavings with paper towels for a few days.

 

[morningchick]

The brooder is 6x3. I originally used paper towels at week 2 and they were ripping and eating them. Then I switched to rubber shelf liner. I only have 3 chicks since I am adding to my small flock.

 

[lena]

Hi
I have exactly same problem with my chicks! I have only 3 and they are 4 weeks old.
All 4 weeks they were on plastic shelf lining. When I finally decided that they old enough to move to shaving lined coop, they like a mad started eating pine shavings.I waited for a couple hours, hoping that they'll finally realize this is not something eatable.They didn't! So I moved them back to old plastic liner.
Even after moving back, they were searching for shaving leftovers and eating it, like most delicious food they ever had!
I raised chicks before and never had this problem!!!

 

[morningchick]

Hi, I moved mine onto hay and feel much better about it. I have my older hens on pine shavings and it is my preferred bedding material. For now my 5 week old chicks will get hay until they are integrated into the flock. Do you think we are too focused on those adorable little babies!?