Ducklings eating shavings?

[TheCookyChickenLady]

Here I am again, with another duck question.My ducklings are 12 days old and have been on towels since I got them when they were 3 days old as one seemed to injest something most likely as shaving and was having issues swallowing, she’s good now but that worried me so they got put on towels. Just now I put them back on shavings as I thought it had been a while and they wouldn’t eat them now. They seem to be running their bills through them and I am worried they could be eating them again. Should I switch back to towels? Is this an actual concern. I also see them pick them up and mostly drop them but I am worried they are eating some as well. They do have grit as I have been putting a few pinches of herbs from my garden in their water when they go swimming. What should I do?

 

[Ratchnick]

Maybe don't chance it.

 

[Isaac 0]

A little nibbling of the substrate being used is not uncommon, but if it's becoming excessive, and their chewing on it, and look to be ingesting it. It may be best to switch to something they can't chew on such as Puppy pee pads, or towels with no loose threads. Ducklings that ingest too many shavings may develop a blockage in their digestive tract, which is often hard to treat at home, and may require a vet visit.


Providing the ducklings with plenty of space in their brooder, and logs, and water to play in/on will keep them much more occupied, and less likely to be bored and chew on the shavings.