please reassure me they aren't going to kill themselves. . .

[cholmberg]

I've seen chicks on shavings lots of times, nearly all the times that they
were not on wire. . .I had them on paper towels the first few days but I
put shavings down today, and while they seem happier than pigs in mud,
I am scared they are going to eat that stuff and either get an impacted
crop or kill themselves. . .I put out a little bowl of grit, cockatiel size which
is a bit bigger than sand. ...am I doing right?? THey seem to love it, but
they are worrying me with just how much they seem to be enjoying it.

My loss count is now four. one DOA, one EE a few hours after arrival,
and two buff orpingtons one overnight and one today. . .and another buff
not looking too chipper. =( They've got probiotic water, other water,
plenty of starter and a nice warm spot if they want it.

am I doing right? Can I do anything else? I hate losing any of them, I
know it's a sad reality, but I hate it. I was holding the little buff that died
today when she passed. =(

 

[TheChips]

My chicks have had shavings their entire life (currently 4-5 months now) Since day one when I brought them home we have been using shavings. The only concern is making sure its not pine, I believe theyre allergic to that. Just making sure the area is clean, water and food is free of feces.

As far as your other concerns, I hope someone can have some useful information for you

 

[Puddin Fluff]

My chicks start on shaving after they come out of the bater. I believe the shaving I buy at the feed store are pine. It is cedar that can cause problems as I understand.

Just watch your temeratures and make sure they have clean water and crumbles. The shavings should not affect them.

 

[TheChips]

Here is a useful thread about shavings

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/655822/pine-and-cedar-shavings-are-dangerous

I kept a digital thermo in their area to monitor the heating. Sometimes it can get too hot or not hot enough.

 

[cholmberg]

Thank you.

 

[Sarevan]

CEDAR shavings are the ones that are dangerous to chicks. The oils and all the dust overwhelms them. The oil in the chips heats up under a lamp and releases the scent into the air, gets on them and acts like it is suffocating them. I made this mistake for 3 days with my chicks last year until I found out here in forums how bad it was, I switched over to pine shavings.I wanted the cedar aroma, I didn't know that it could kill them! So thankful for this forum and the knowledge it contains.

 

[lazy gardener]

The cockatiel grit won't harm them in the short term, but it may have extra calcium in it, which your chicks shouldn't be getting. You might want to pick up some chick grit the next time you are out. IMO, grit is an over looked element to chick care. I know they say that chicks don't need it if all they get is the chick starter... but, in a natural environment, Mama would see to it that they have grit, and soil, and fresh greens shortly after hatching. Do your own research here, and choose what makes you most comfortable. Enjoy your babies. Pics would be appreciated by all, when you are able!

 

[UrbanFarming]

Use pine, not cedar!

 

[cholmberg]

it's kiln dried pine. . . I wasn't worried about the shavings themselves. . but they
were -eating- it. . .the smaller bits. and playing 'keep away' with bigger shavings.
So far that behavior seems to have stopped. . .and they do seem to love them.
but there's a few that persistently are digging in a corner (cardboard under the
shavings) and I haven't got a clue why they are doing it. They aren't harming the
cardboard.. . just scrabbling around in the corner. I have short video of them. .
but it's not on youtube, it's on my fb. . .I don't know if the link will work.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152319175456532

 

[moetrout]

Quote:
ALL Chickens love to scratch, they are born that way! Sounds to me like you are doing just fine.