I'm worried that my pine shavings are too fine.

[Branch Chickens]

I bought two bales of pine shavings at a local farm store, and I'm worried that they may be too fine for baby chicks. I've read a lot of warnings on here about chicks eating them. Is that really much of an issue? If I cover them with something for the first few days, will that be sufficient protection?

 

[Odelia]

People often cover the shavings for the first few days with newspaper. How much of a problem it is depends on your chicks. I have bought the wood pellet bedding before when I had chicks. I saw them eating the shavings all the time so I got 1 bag of the pellet litter and by the time it was gone they were old enough to not eat the shavings.

 

[akelley]

I always buy the large flake shavings from the feed store, and cover the shavings for the first three days, until they know where and what the food is. Unless they just seem to be eating tons of the shavings, you should be fine!

 

[Farmer Viola]

I recently switched from shavings to pellets for chicks because of the same issue.... I have to say I am a lot happier with the pellets!

 

[Farmer Viola]

If they are eating shavings, just make sure they have PLENTY of chick grit. they will be fine, or mine are.

I once watched a 3 week old chick on his first excursion outside eat a spiky tree needle thing.
I thought he was dead for sure, it was bigger than his throat! well, he lived. I gave him a ton of grit and somehow it didn't kill him even though it was very spiky looking...........

I don't know what they are called, here is a picture:

 

[Jewellan]

I bought two bales of pine shavings at a local farm store, and I'm worried that they may be too fine for baby chicks. I've read a lot of warnings on here about chicks eating them. Is that really much of an issue? If I cover them with something for the first few days, will that be sufficient protection?

I just bought the really fine bed bedding from a feed store as well. That was what they had their chicks on so I assumed it was safe. How did your chicks do? Did you end up using it or not.

 

[Branch Chickens]

I just bought the really fine bed bedding from a feed store as well. That was what they had their chicks on so I assumed it was safe. How did your chicks do? Did you end up using it or not.

I've used them, and it has been just fine. They do peck at them a bit from time to time, but they're not really eating them.
I had one chick loss, but she was a runt, and I think she was just not meant to live. All the rest are thriving.

I didn't end up covering the shavings with anything. I just put them in, as is, about 2 inches deep.

 

[Eggcessive]

Tractor Supply sells both coarse and fine. The fine is like sawdust and is terrible for chicks, and the coarse just blows around whenever my chickens flap their wings. My Southern States is no better, and I have bought some of theirs in the past that smelled strongly of burnt wood. I have finally found some perfect-sized shavings from a local farmer who sells feed, and buys it in bulk. So look around at the little non-chain stores, and stock up when you find some good ones. I have also used fresh, dried grass in summer, pine needles, and dried leaves in the fall, which they love, but it is so dark in the coop floor that I can't see the chickens, LOL.

 

[Sjisty]

I use the fine and have never had an issue with it. For the few days of life, I have the chicks on paper toweling. After a few days I get tired of the constant changing of the paper towels, so that's when I switch to the shavings. I use the fine shavings from Tractor Supply. They soak up the poop and spilled water so much better than the bigger shavings. I use it in all my coops and am very happy with it. Yes, I see the chicks eating some, but have never had a problem. I also put the chicks outside when it's warm so they can dig and eat dirt and get some grit. I have cages with no bottoms so they are perfectly safe but can get to the ground.