Chicks eating bedding

[woodlandd]

My chicks are about a week and a half old now, and they've been doing well with understanding the difference between their food and bedding... or so I thought! While they completely get that bedding isn't food in the brooder, when some of it spills to the ground, they immediately try to eat it when I let them roam the room. Any tips on how to teach them to not do this?

 

[Perris]

you don't need to try to stop them eating it - it's quite normal and it won't do them any harm (normally).

 

[woodlandd]

you don't need to try to stop them eating it - it's quite normal and it won't do them any harm (normally).

That's good to hear—I'd read in some places it could hurt their stomach if they ate more than just a little. Thanks for the information!

 

[JustBabyMargo]

My turkeys would (and still do) eat bedding. ALL. THE. TIME!! In such LARGE amounts! The worst it did was make them poop blood here and there (not coccidiosis). But I have also had many chicks do it without any symptoms.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Make sure they have access to appropriate size grit and that should help break down any pieces of bedding that they do ingest.