Crazy over wood shavings?

[Ourminizoo2021]

New to ducks so looking for advice. I have one duckling that made it (will be getting a couple friends for him) and after about a week and a half I decided to change paper towel to wood shavings and he went psycho. I never saw him so crazy I couldn't tell if he was actually eating or just chewing but to be on the safe side I went back to paper towel. Now he's bigger and I'm having to clean his bin like 4x a day. It's insane lol. Do they outgrow this? When he's big enough to go outdoors the shed is full of wood shavings so I don't want him getting sick. I've read that it seems to happen often where ducklings go crazy over wood shavings just don't know if they get over it . Also what else could I use for bedding that would be safe?
Thanks !

 

[Miss Lydia]

Old towels work just shake them outwash and reuse them.[no visible strings they will eat them too]
Some ducklings will eat shaving. I buy the thick flakes when I transition mine from towels to shavings they aren't easy to eat.
Are you keeping food and water down for your duckling 24/7? usually once they know what feed is they aren't as apt to eat the savings you could also try putting a mirror in with your duckling to distract him. They love looking at themselves.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

New to ducks so looking for advice. I have one duckling that made it (will be getting a couple friends for him) and after about a week and a half I decided to change paper towel to wood shavings and he went psycho. I never saw him so crazy I couldn't tell if he was actually eating or just chewing but to be on the safe side I went back to paper towel. Now he's bigger and I'm having to clean his bin like 4x a day. It's insane lol. Do they outgrow this? When he's big enough to go outdoors the shed is full of wood shavings so I don't want him getting sick. I've read that it seems to happen often where ducklings go crazy over wood shavings just don't know if they get over it . Also what else could I use for bedding that would be safe?
Thanks !

Good morning
I use puppy pads till 2 weeks then switch to shavings.
They will try to eat them at first and dig in them but it’s never been an issue for me
At the same time as I use shavings I put out grit in case they do eat them
Usually they will spit them bavk in the water dish once they realize it’s not feed
My ducks at 2 weeks would start to eat the puppy pads and that’s when I decided switching around that age is best

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I would put shavings down with paper towels on top. That way you get the absorption and as a few shavings sneak around the edges, they get used to them. Personally, I start with shelf liner over shavings. When they are over a week old I remove the liner. I have never had trouble with shavings.

 

[Ourminizoo2021]

I would put shavings down with paper towels on top. That way you get the absorption and as a few shavings sneak around the edges, they get used to them. Personally, I start with shelf liner over shavings. When they are over a week old I remove the liner. I have never had trouble with shavings.

I'll try that

 

[Ourminizoo2021]

Good morning
I use puppy pads till 2 weeks then switch to shavings.
They will try to eat them at first and dig in them but it’s never been an issue for me
At the same time as I use shavings I put out grit in case they do eat them
Usually they will spit them bavk in the water dish once they realize it’s not feed
My ducks at 2 weeks would start to eat the puppy pads and that’s when I decided switching around that age is best

Yeah he kept going to his water some of it would get into the water but I think he ate some of it lol. I wonder since he's alone maybe it was almost like sensory overload and made him crazy

 

[telandra2]

Are you sure he is eating them and not just rooting around for bugs?

 

[Ourminizoo2021]

Are you sure he is eating them and not just rooting around for bugs?

Sorry I'm late to reply , just want to give an update.. I put some wood shavings under paper towel and of course he move the paper towel around and wood shavings everywhere but he didn't nibble on any of it ! So think it was just too early to introduce him to it . If ever I get more ducklings I'll definitely wait till they are at least 2 weeks old. Thanks everyone for help and advice

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay where are the pictures of this little thing?

 

[Ourminizoo2021]

Okay where are the pictures of this little thing?

That's my blue he/she very spoiled lol. I'll have him on me in the evening while we watch tv and he will cuddle up on my chest . I don't know what I'll do when he's ready to be out with the flock My daughter gave him a little stuffed dog so he wouldn't be so alone and he's obsessed with it It needs to be washed but I just can't take it away from him haha