Switched to shavings and the chicks are eating them!!!

[A.T. Hagan]

I have started I don't know how many hundreds of chicks on shavings. No paper towels or anything else. Straight out of the box (or incubator) onto the shavings. I've never lost a one from their eating them.

It is a chick's nature to scratch and peck through whatever it is they are living in. Mama hen's nest is going to be made out of whatever she chooses to make it from and her chicks are going to scratch and peck through it. So long as they have palatable feed available for when they are ready to eat you'll do OK.

.....Alan.

 

[chickie-is-obsessed]

Thanks Alan. I have given up hovering! They started eating the paper towel too and seem to be fine. I am not hovering any more!

 

[chicmom]

You're like me....I worried about every little thing with my chicks. Better to be overly concerned than not caring at all though. I always use the pine shavings because it's just easier, and also helps with the smell. It lasts longer than most beddings....you can just sort of fluff it up and it's good to go another few days.