Ducklings eating pine shavings

[Angelove]

I have been keeping my 1.5 week old ducklings since they arrived on nonslip shelf liner and/or towels so that they did not eat their bedding.
I decided to try to switch them over to pine shavings today because, unless I clean it 3x daily, it is pretty gross.
As soon as I put them in the new brooder..they started eating their bedding! (mostly picking it up and dropping it but also I see some go into their mouths and not come back out).
It seems like a lot of people keep their ducklings on pine shavings..how do you keep them from eating the bedding? Will they stop eventually?.. Hopefully before they eat so much that they become impacted or it becomes a health issue? Experiences, suggestions and solutions greatly appreciated

 

[EmRip]

Ducks are very curious animals, they will try things. Pine shavings isn't dangerous to them but can cause concern if they eat a lot. Make sure they have a constant supply to feed and water so their not super hungry. If you'd like to change their bedding, horse pellets for bedding is a great alternative, their hard pellets that are to big for ducks to ingest.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I like to use puppy pee pads for the first week or so. It does mean more cleaning but at least I dont have to worry about them eating the shavings.

 

[Duckiiess]

My ducklings did the same thing when I first added shavings, they got over it in a couple days.. I was worried at first and scooped all the shavings back out, then after talking with neighbors realized it's not really a concern. As the others said, just make sure their food and water stay full.

 

[Angelove]

Thank you...I feel so much better about them rooting around in it and may try to change their bedding type too.

 

[Aunt Angus]

X2 everything said above.

If it makes you feel even better, I think I posted the exact same concern when I first got my duckies. They'll be fine! You got this!

 

[FNF]

I know this is an old thread but it makes me feel better knowing that others have done this and answered these questions before! I have 10 day old runner ducklings and had some pine shavings in their warm-up tote (while I clean their tub brooder or after a short swim). They immediately started eating or trying to eat them which scared me to death! I immediately put a little chick grit out just in case and promptly removed all of the shavings! Because they are in the house until they can be moved outside I think I'll stick with shelf liners, towels, and maybe try the puppy pee pads, as the shavings go everywhere!

 

[Pollo Blanco]

I know this is an old thread but it makes me feel better knowing that others have done this and answered these questions before! I have 10 day old runner ducklings and had some pine shavings in their warm-up tote (while I clean their tub brooder or after a short swim). They immediately started eating or trying to eat them which scared me to death! I immediately put a little chick grit out just in case and promptly removed all of the shavings! Because they are in the house until they can be moved outside I think I'll stick with shelf liners, towels, and maybe try the puppy pee pads, as the shavings go everywhere!

I use beach towels

 

[CoriM]

I also used towels, but always about 6 weeks I start transitioning them out to my run, which has shavings. The ducklings always eat some of the shavings at first. Mine try to eat the pea gravel around the pond as well. It's always nerve-wracking for me, but they quickly figure it out and have always been fine!

 

[FNF]

That’s oddly comforting, thank you for sharing! First time duck owner so every little possibly-abnormal behavior is concerning. These three little ladies are so precious and I want to do everything I can to ensure their health and safety!