why does my hen want to eat pine shavings!?

[aprilbos]

black ostrlorp 15 montha, we are hipefilly on the tail end of an inpacted gizzard and sour crop ss im not lettinh her eat the pine shavings which makes for a very cranky bird. she was (probably will still be) at the bottom of the pecking order. they dont get any benefits from it, correc?? !! thanks for aNy info

 

[True Patriot]

Is she eating or just pecking at them? I don't think there are any benefits to eating pine. I don't think small amounts would be harmful, how much is she eating? They will eat some strange things. What is her normal feed? Treats? Anything else? Grit?

 

[LittleMissCountry]

One of my black sex links eats pine shavings while sitting in the nesting box laying her egg. It is the only time she does it that I know of, but she will consistently eat them while she is in there. I haven't figured out why, other than boredom.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Some birds like to snack on shavings, but since it's causing crop issues, can you possibly switch to another type of bedding?

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Maybe they aren't getting enough grit and so perhaps in their little chicken brain the next best thing is pine shavings?

 

[Birdsong 82]

I would add grit to the diet and change your bedding material.