Eating Bedding - OK?

[silkiechicken]

I wouldn't worry about it. If you are worried you could toss in some sand as grit just in case. Mine eat everything!

 

[Chelly]

Mine are constantly kicking up the paper towels now and picking at the shavings under them.

They looked a little bored today, and kicking around the paper towels - so I got a shallow dish and filled it with dirt from the yard, sandy dirt. I sprinkled in some DE, and some chick starter and they went NUTS (I figured if they were with mom, they'd be out in the dirt anyway)
One chick took over the dish and did the whole dust bathe thing, kicking the dirt EVERYWHERE - I think they've worn themselves out now - they're all lying around sleeping, and now I have to clean up again...... it sure was fun watching them!

 

[FarmLady323]

Ugh...mine are even eating the paper towel !!!
Everything I try, they eat
Frustrating to say the least...

 

[3riverschick]

I just took the paper towels off three days ago. They are 9 days old. I think they know where their food is, but they still like to eat the bedding. Maybe I'll give them a little grit. I was just worried about them getting impacted crops.

Absolutely! These babies need grit. I know everyone says chicks don't need grit if they only eat chick feed. But during this time, this is not why we feed grit. Honesty there is a science to feeding grit.
Ok, here's how it goes...we don't see much visual virtues from feeding grit on the outside of the bird. It's all happening inside the bird as the grit exercises and helps the gizzard grow large and healthy. The gizzard is a very powerful muscle which grinds up food to be digested later down the G.I. tract. The better job it does, the more the food is ready to have the G.I. tract release the nutrients for the bird. More nutrients, more eggs. Up to 20% more eggs from birds raise don the proper regimen of grit as they grew up. What is the proper regimen of grit to growing birds? read about it in the 1st 4 posts of the URL in bold at the top of this post.
The feeding schedule for grit is on the second page of the PDF listed in post number 4.
Best,
Karen

 

[chickens really]

Just a little tip.......I use sand in my Brooder while my Chicks are still in the house/Brooder....Once they are bigger and I move them to the Big chick enclosure at 10 days old, I use pine shavings....I provide grit at day 3 and introduce other foods to peck at....


Cheers!