Pine shavings

[Koniucha]

So we finally got our baby chicks! They are so cute and we are so excited! My question/concern is that I put pine shavings in there for them. I see they are pecking at them. Are they trying to eat the shavings? Should I take them out for now?

 

[PearlGrey]

I don't know - new here myself - but I believe I've read other members put something over the shavings until the chicks figure our they're not food. One poster said she just laid paper towels over the shavings. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/brooding-our-little-flock I'm about to be right there with you, so replied to your thread though I don't really know the answer!

 

[Spongegirl]

I think a lot of people use pine shavings. I never have. I use hay or straw and sometimes even cut dried grass. Oh which reminds me to go collect some before they roost and spread out. Thanks!

 

[Koniucha]

Ok, I just put paper towels in there. I feel like they thought the shaving were food.

 

[RouttyChicks]

My understanding is that there are two types of pine shaving, large and fine
It was recommended to me to use the large cut shavings for young chicks because they have been cleaned, dried and the dust shifted out of them. At first i noticed mine pecking at the shavings but i don't think they were trying to eat them.

 

[Spongegirl]

I love the hay or straw because the dookie falls in the crack and they don't step thru it. sometimes I can even give they layer a good shake and we're good to go for another day

 

[Koniucha]

I have the thick shavings. I think I will keep the paper towels in there for a bit. So the cutest thing ever is that I have a dog and a cat too. My dog is already protecting the chicks from the cat. It is so sweet!

 

[PearlGrey]

Spongegirl - I have a whole bunch of old hay I could use for bedding. Do you not worry about mold, though? I fed it to the horses, and they ate it, but I thought it smelled suspicious.

 

[Spongegirl]

I had horses at my house for the last year and their owner insisted I use moldy hay to feed them...terrible, btw! I wouldn't even let my chicks bed with it let alone feed it to an animal. Its easy to smell so, no, I am careful to avoid mold.

 

[PearlGrey]

Koniucha - I let my LGD see the baby chicks when I brought them home. Big mistake! Now he wants to watch them all the time. But their room has to be kept at 85 degrees F, which is way too warm for a Great Pyrenees.