I think chicks are eating paper towels...

[susanah]

Found a chunk out for first time today. They are 10 days old. Someone told me to use newspaper because the PT will hurt them. Seems like newspaper would be worse. Have pine shavings but I think my daughter is allergic to them. Any suggestions? Will eating Paper towels hurt them???

Thanks

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
You can change it to some straw (is she sensitive to that too) now, and they probably are eating them!! I am not sure it will hurt them, but I am sure it is not a balanced diet.

 

[LovinMyPeeps]

You can use shredded newspaper just not smooth as they can't get a grip on it.

 

[susanah]

what about sand? Or will this hurt them if they eat it?

 

[LovinMyPeeps]

I've heard you can use sand, but I'm a first timer, never done it myself. Just doesn't seem like it would be very fluffy

 

[juliechick]

I've had chicks eat paper before, especially when they get a little older. I have sand in my brooder right now and it's working out great. I had pine shaving before and the odor was permeating my garage. Now I can't detect any odor with the sand. They scratch & peck in it happily.
Sand should be good for them, since they need a little grit anyway.

 

[Smoky73]

You can use sand sure, I did for about a year, no ill effects, until its time for you to sift the sand to remove the poo, then be sure to wear a mask.

I use strictly chick starter now. Sure, they poo in it, but then again, they poo in their feed when they are in there scratching around anyway. No one has died from anything and they scratch through to get the feed out anyway. I just use a dustpan to sweep the top layer of feed and poo away and then they are good to go. It does waste a little, but not that bad. I have been hatching for over a month and have just bought my second bag of chick starter as the bottom cage is about to run out.