Ducklings eating wood shavings? Is this harmful?

[won023]

my few day old ducklings seem to be eating their woood shavings which are used for bedding I've only recently just switched to shavings and they are nibbling at it should I be concerned?

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[gal5150]

They'll do that, especially when it's new. They are very likely not ingesting much but as a precaution making sure they have grit is wise. They should calm down over the excitement soon enough. It's just kind of one of those things you have to let them get over, otherwise, if you swap the chips out and reintroduce again later it'll just be lather, rinse, repeat.

 

[chickens really]

Totally fine....Ducklings play with everything...Does not mean they are eating it...If they do?...No big deal...I have raised many Ducklings on shavings without one issue....

 

[Niche Flock]

If you can, don't buy the fine shavings, they are smaller and easier to ingest. You can always place an old towel over top initially to keep them from eating the shavings and then switch it out when they are a bit older.

 

[won023]

They'll do that, especially when it's new. They are very likely not ingesting much but as a precaution making sure they have grit is wise. They should calm down over the excitement soon enough. It's just kind of one of those things you have to let them get over, otherwise, if you swap the chips out and reintroduce again later it'll just be lather, rinse, repeat.

Ahhh ok thanks

 

[Miss Lydia]

Towels are best with new ducklings till they know what is their feed and what isn't. Usually after a week or 2 they know.

 

[won023]

Towels are best with new ducklings till they know what is their feed and what isn't. Usually after a week or 2 they know.

Ahhh ok thanks I just didn't want them to get blocked as they seem to be genuinely eating the shavings...

 

[Miss Lydia]

And they very well could be that is why it's best to use towels till they are a week or 2 old by then they have figured out feed from shavings. and towels can be shook out washed and reused. I agree on the type of shaving too when you begin using them again use the thick cut. The shaving cut fine looks too much like feed.