Ducklings & Shavings

[The Wolf Queen]

I was wondering if it would be OK for my Muscovy ducklings to be on a thin layer of wood shavings or will they get sick from eating them?
Thanks In Advance, WQ

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I brood my ducks on wire. I have seen where ducklings dig through the shavings with their beaks and their eyes get scratched.

 

[dieselgrl48]

I have always raised my ducklings on shavings.But pine only no cedar as ducklong's.I only put down a little pine not near food water area's once they are established and on ground.I have 2 sep. inside pen's that we converted in old horse stall and put hay on one side of each pen then a little cedar once older to keep fresh.But I raise all my ducks to free range day then they basicaly only go to stall at night.

 

[duckyfromoz]

I have always started my newly hatched ducklings on a towel for the first few days- then tranferred them onto newspaper and shavings. I have never had an issue with them eating it- or being injured or getting sick from it- But thats not to say other people have not experience issues with shavings. I also only ever use pine shavings and ones that have the dust extracted and also measured for size so there are no larger or thicker bits.

 

[Buttercup Chillin]

I'm on my second set of ducklings brooded and hatched by their mothers (actually 5 hatchings come to think of it). I give the Ducks hay to make their nests that are on the floor of their Duck House. The Food area and Roost Area (not much used) are covered in pine shavings with 1/2" wire under. There has not been a problem. The mothers keep them in the nest the first 3 days than take them to water and food and then have them walk around on the shavings. The smallest ones usually go to the food on Moms back then slide down to join the others. The shavings are much easier to clean up than the hay. Though when they get to be adolescents, that starts getting messed up. Depending on the weather at hatching time, by day 5 or 6 the Mom's take them outside into their enclosed Run, which has hay spread on it. This last group, they have only just today ( at 2 weeks old) taken them out into the yard with the 12 week olds.