baby silkies eating pine shavings

[chickncrazy]

A friend and I ordered 20 silkie chicks from Ideal and received them a week ago. They are all healthy and strong. We have been keeping them on paper towels in a baby pool and they are thriving. We have tried to switch them over to pine shavings twice but each time my friend panics because she says they are eating the shavings. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

 

[DougD]

Sterile play sand is what we use now, until they are big enough to go on a wire floor. We don't use shavings until 8 weeks at least as they tend to eat it and too much will kill them.

 

[chickncrazy]

Very interesting! I've never heard of using sand. Anyone else use it or something else? Thanks!

 

[bigzio]

Yep, I simply spread a pinch across the chick feeder, similiar to salting your food a little on the salty side.

bigzio