Chiks eating bedding

[Ccort]

I just put in large pine shavings for these five day old chicks. They've been on puppy pads. But the chicks seem to be eating the bedding or at least trying to. Is this going to cause harm? If so, what can I do?

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Yes, they can get an impacted crop and die. Start getting them some chick grit asap. The grit will help them to break down the wood chips.
Until you get some chick grit you probably should put the puppy pads back down.

 

[Ccort]

Yes, they can get an impacted crop and die. Start getting them some chick grit asap. The grit will help them to break down the wood chips.
Until you get some chick grit you probably should put the puppy pads back down.

Ok. I thought they needed to be two weeks old for chick grit?

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Ok. I thought they needed to be two weeks old for chick grit?

No. I sprinkle chick grit on feed a couple times a week after a couple days old.
Grit is just rocks to help them chew their food.

 

[Battlepants]

Ok. I thought they needed to be two weeks old for chick grit?

I like to sprinkle in a decent amount (probably around a tablespoon) into their first jar of food, then sprinkle in maybe another teaspoon every week. I haven't seen any problem with this and figure it helps them ease into having grit in their crops.

*of course, give the jar of food a GOOD shake to get that well distributed in there.

 

[Ccort]

Ok.Thank you both. I have grit coming Monday so in the meantime I put puppy pads back on top.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

After I had a chick die of an impacted crop from eating shavings, I keep mine on puppy pads until they are about minimum two weeks of age.
You can add chick grit any time, but it is technically not necessary if the chicks are on puppy pads and only eating chick crumble.
One word of caution with the puppy pads, when the chicks get to be about 3 to 4 weeks of age, they start to pick at the pads and can consume the gel underneath the soft layer. This is the active ingredient that absorbs the water. This can also cause an impacted crop!

 

[Ccort]

After I had a chick die of an impacted crop from eating shavings, I keep mine on puppy pads until they are about minimum two weeks of age.
You can add chick grit any time, but it is technically not necessary if the chicks are on puppy pads and only eating chick crumble.
One word of caution with the puppy pads, when the chicks get to be about 3 to 4 weeks of age, they start to pick at the pads and can consume the gel underneath the soft layer. This is the active ingredient that absorbs the water. This can also cause an impacted crop!

Oh gees. Ok. Ill watch for that too. So if they eat the shavings but are on grit....is that ok? I'm going to buy a bag today, just in case. How do you know if they're impacted?

 

[Battlepants]

Side theory on this that got me wondering - what about just grabbing a few shovel fulls of dirt from outside to use as bedding or even just as a side area to hang out? Technically contains grit.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Oh gees. Ok. Ill watch for that too. So if they eat the shavings but are on grit....is that ok? I'm going to buy a bag today, just in case. How do you know if they're impacted?

Well using a large flake will help prevent them eating it. Definitely give them grit just in case! You can tell pretty quickly if a chick has an impacted crop, they will stop eating and look a little droopy and lethargic. Also their crop will not be empty in the mornings. Unfortunately chicks can go from looking healthy and active to looking quite sick very quickly.