Pine pellets/sawdust for chicks?

[Emrosenagel]

one of my hens is hatching some new chicks and I want her to raise them in the coop/run with the others. The runs have pine pellets hosed down into a fluffy sawdust, but it isn’t exactly fine dust. I’m wondering if this will be alright for chicks? I have one run that’s mostly dirt, if the sawdust isn’t ok for them.

 

[GodLovesU]

Can you post a picture of the sawdust?

 

[Emrosenagel]

Can you post a picture of the sawdust?

Sorry it’s a little dark out rn

 

[GodLovesU]

Are you worried that the sawdust will cause impaction?Also is your coop secure enough to keep chicks safe?Would they be able to escape?

 

[Emrosenagel]

Are you worried that the sawdust will cause impaction?Also is your coop secure enough to keep chicks safe?Would they be able to escape?

I’m not worried about escaping, it’s secure. I’m worried about impaction mostly, though I’ve raised chicks on pine shavings and hay before, never having an issue.

 

[GodLovesU]

I honestly don’t know if they would eat it or not.
@Wyorp Rock ?

 

[Susan Skylark]

I use these for quail with no issues, so if baby quail can handle it a chick should be fine.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

one of my hens is hatching some new chicks and I want her to raise them in the coop/run with the others. The runs have pine pellets hosed down into a fluffy sawdust, but it isn’t exactly fine dust. I’m wondering if this will be alright for chicks? I have one run that’s mostly dirt, if the sawdust isn’t ok for them.

I’m not worried about escaping, it’s secure. I’m worried about impaction mostly, though I’ve raised chicks on pine shavings and hay before, never having an issue.

They may nibble a bit of it.

Provide the chicks with Chick Grit (crushed granite). Always a best practice to provide Grit for chicks and adults, even if they have access to dirt, forage, etc.