PSA: Pine shavings suck

[aliciaFarmer]

I've hatched and/or raised almost 90 chicks and wanted to share a recent discovery. Pine shavings suck for baby bedding! That's what I've always used because it's what's recommended but in the past 2 weeks I've lost a 4 day old Speckled Sussex and a 5 day old Swedish Flower Hen to pine shaving ingestion. I wasn't sure on the first one but the little one yesterday was obvious as she had a piece coming halfway out of her vent and another lodged in her throat.

I had no idea because I've literally never had a problem or heard of anyone else having an issue. Please use sand or something else for their first couple of weeks. It may just save their life.

No judgemental comments please. I've learned from my error and just want to spread the word out of my love for baby chicks. I think it's the new brand I just got because I've never had an issue before. I've hatched and/or raised almost 90 chicks. Next week it will be closer to a hundred. Definitely not a noob. This brand of pine shavings doesn't say if it's coarse or fine and says it's perfect for everything from chicks to horses. It's not. It's far smaller than my typical shavings.

P.S. I equally loathe chicken wire. Both should be banned or baby chick usage.

 

[Ryback530]

I'm sorry to hear about your losses . I too have noticed my babies eating the smaller shavings. I switched to a brand with larger flakes and I do notice a difference as far as them eating it. I like the idea of sand, maybe I'll try that next time.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I'm sorry to hear about your losses . I too have noticed my babies eating the smaller shavings. I switched to a brand with larger flakes and I do notice a difference as far as them eating it. I like the idea of sand, maybe I'll try that next time.

This new batch of pine shavings I got ranges in size from small to large so that could be why I've never had a problem until now. Very good point! But I don't want to risk it anymore so I'm getting some sand today. I have more babies hatching on Thursday and I'd hate to lose any more. The two I lost were purchased from a Hatchery though so it's possible they were already weak from travel.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I also use larger flake shavings because yes I've seen both the babies and adults nibbling on wood shavings. Next time I may skip shavings entirely and just using the litter that's already in the run (mostly wood chips) as they're far too large for chicks to eat.

 

[concrete_boots]

Was going to start with paper towels then move to larger pieces of the pine...sand sounds better tho but would also imitate the look of food, no? Is there a certain type of sand people use?

 

[aliciaFarmer]

Was going to start with paper towels then move to larger pieces of the pine...sand sounds better tho but would also imitate the look of food, no? Is there a certain type of sand people use?

I don't think it looks like food but I'm not a chick. ♡ I guess it would just be extra grit if they tried to eat some. I think play sand would probably be the cleanest.

Chicks may nibble paper towels -- that would be my concern.

I didn't know there were different sizes of pine shavings until now. None of my bags of ever specified a size on them but this is the first time we used a different brand. I totally need to send the manufacturer an email and tell them their product killed two of my chicks -- says for chicks right on it, sadly.

 

[Cyprus]

I don't think it looks like food but I'm not a chick. ♡ I guess it would just be extra grit if they tried to eat some. I think play sand would probably be the cleanest.

Chicks may nibble paper towels -- that would be my concern.

I didn't know there were different sizes of pine shavings until now. None of my bags of ever specified a size on them but this is the first time we used a different brand. I totally need to send the manufacturer an email and tell them their product killed two of my chicks -- says for chicks right on it, sadly.

There are both fine and coarse shavings

 

[The Phantom]

Sorry for your losses. I use pine shavings and have never had an issue.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

There are both fine and coarse shavings

None of my bags have ever specified. I've only ever used one brand for about 90 chicks and a new brand this time.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

Sorry for your losses. I use pine shavings and have never had an issue.

I've raised about 90 chicks on pine shavings without issues. Just this new brand seems to suck. Two babies dead for the first time ever. And thank you! Sad to lose them.