shavings

[davekrista]

My husband cleaned out the brooder and put shavings down. The ducks were eating it so I brought them over to their food. Will this hurt them?

 

[katharinad]

It can compact them and they can die of it. Perhaps they are just trying it, which is normal. I usually don't let them see shavings until they are 3 weeks old. By then they know better and wont eat it.

 

[Quacking]

I use a bath towel for the first one or two days until they learn where the food and water containers are, then switch to shavings. Its so much easier to tip out some shavings once or twice a day than have to wash poopy towels all the time. I also find shavings are better for their feet as they are more absorbant and the ducklings arent walking around on a wet towel all the time. They usually pick up a few shavings at first, but they chew on them rather than eat them. I havent ever had a problem using shavings they soon learn it isnt food.