New chicks: pine shavings ok from day one?

[ksato003]

I keep reading conflicting threads and articles about pine shaving bedding for the first week. I also have puppy pads underneath.

We have chicks that are a few days old and the lady I bought them from said to use pine shavings to absorb the poop from the very start, but it looks like they’re eating them.

I’ve only had them a day, and i did see them eat their food and drink water earlier in the day. So they know where it is. But all of a sudden there will be a frenzied gathering around what they think the other one has… and it’s pine shavings. Is it harmless curiosity or something I should be worried about?

what’s the verdict, when should I start using pine shavings? Should I stick to puppy pads only for now?

 

[Little Chicken Mama]

I used pineshavings even at day one. It is natural for them to scratch through it and they might eat some but it will be fine.

 

[Justso]

X2

 

[ksato003]

Update: the lady i bought from told me I probably have too thick a layer, so I took the shavings out and then the little welsummer started pecking the other chicks’ feet. It had one by the toe and it was squawking. So I added a thin layer of shavings back in and there they go… pecking at it. I can’t tell if I’m over thinking this but it feels like it. Will they die of eating shavings…seriously?

 

[jus10inla]

Your Overthinking. Just put a light layer in there and let them go. Ive hatched and raised over a hundred. There just curious. From day one.

 

[ksato003]

Your Overthinking. Just put a light layer in there and let them go. Ive hatched and raised over a hundred. There just curious. From day one.

Thank you for the peace of mind. I’m a Total newbie and it shows!

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's normal for chicks to investigate their environment with their beaks, and that includes eating bedding, dirt, bugs, etc. Provide some grit so they can break down any shavings they do eat.

 

[ksato003]

I do have chick grit on hand. How should I offer it? Sprinkled on top of their food? Pine shavings?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I do have chick grit on hand. How should I offer it? Sprinkled on top of their food? Pine shavings?

For chicks I choose to sprinkle a pinch of grit on their feed every few days. It prevents them from gorging on it (which can be an issue if you simply leave out a dish of it) and increases the chances they'll pick up a piece or two while they eat their feed.

 

[nuthatched]

I use puppy pads, mine would eat paper towels or wood shavings.