Shavings safe for ducks?

[coolchickens]

Help... in info soon. I just put pine shavings into my ducklings playpen as it was SO expensive using the pee pads for them. I was going thru about 10 pads a day, $44 in just 2 wks. I noticed everyone has shavings in their brooders so switched to that but my ducklings (4wks old now) are eating it as fast as they can. Will they get tired of it soon and leave it alone and is this safe for them? I have been sprinkling grit about the pen for a couple of wks but can they get impacted with the shavings? Thanks for any info. Sharon

 

[duckyfromoz]

Are they actually swallowing it? I know mine run their bills through it much like an adult duck will run its bill through some grass outside- as if looking for a bug or something worth eating- but they dont actually eat it.

 

[redhen]

If you even think that they are eating their shavings..take them out ASAP..
Just use paper towels for now..till they get older...

 

[CityChicker]

I have virtually never had a 4 week old duckling eat shavings, never. Usually, they are fine with shavings after they are a few days to a week old and they have figured out what food is. That is so weird. I wonder if there is something on the shavings that is making them eat them? Did you start sprinkling the grit before or after they started eating them? (either way I would not continue with that since it is probably encouraging them to do it). They definitely can get impacted. I would remove the shavings and try to asses further why they are doing it.

 

[Friend2Fowl]

I'm sure they are eating it, mine always do that. You need to get wood pellets for ducklings, it is a bit more expensive than shavings, but it will last a lot longer. It absorbs the water so much better. I think you can get the type that is used for pellet-burning stoves, just make sure it doesn't have an accelerant. Or you can get it at your feed store, it is a stall bedding.

Edit to say they are eating it @ 4 weeks because it is something new. Just like a human child, they put everything in their mouths to see what it is.