Chicks eating minute pieces of pine shavings harmful?

[Heartforchickens]

I have 15 week-old chicks. They eat their food very well, but yesterday started scratching their pine shavings down to the bottom of the floor of the brooder and eating the little minute pieces of pine shavings. They have just gone crazy doing this. I give them grit in their food and hope this is sufficient to help them digest this. What are your thoughts on this being harmful to them?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

They're fine. It's a chicken's nature to scratch and peck. It's how they explore their world. I've raised many hundreds on pine shavings and have never lost one to eating the bedding.

 

[DamselinFlannel]

Should be fine! Mine have done similar things. I have heard not to use cedar shavings, but pine should be fine.