Whether or Not to Use Mini Flake Pine Shavings

[Lindyk]

I'm new to all of this. My adorable chicks are 8 days old. I have them in a large box, and am using newspapers for the bottom. Is is safe to use some of the pine shavings at this age? I would feel terrible if they ate some. They are already scratching around, etc. Any advise?

 

[gamebirdsonly]

I use the bigger shavings so their less likely to eat them and yes it's safe to put 8 day old chicks on pine shavings. I usually put mine on bedding around a week old.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
I use the bale of hardwood shavings in the white bale at Tractor Supply. Whatever you choose, it should smell like fresh dry sawdust, not turpentine.
Best,
Karen

 

[Lindyk]

I spoke with the owner of boggycreekfarm.com

She said I would be better off using shredded newspapers until they get about 2 months. So much to learn......thanks!

 

[TRMFAM]

I used paper towels on bottom with rubbery shelf liner on top for the first 4 days and switched to "Flake" pine shavings from Tractor Supply since...not issues they took right to the pine shavings and I was shocked how far they compacted the flakes down by the next day. They have not displayed any issues walking on them nor eating them.

They are funny to watch because one of them will pick up one of the shavings and start running around the brooder like it is a treasure and all the others will chase until it drops on the ground and it lost...15 minutes later same game starts up. I have also noticed they will kind of next in the shaving by wiggling around until they get a shaped area to lay in.

Also TSC sells two types of pine shavings the "Flake" and the "Fine" varieties and the Flake has the least dust...almost none at all.

I have seen a lot of folks say shredded newspapers are not a good material to use because they are not as absorbent and to be careful of the inks being toxic? Your call...

 

[Lindyk]

I appreciate your reply to my question. I had shredded paper in their box three different times. I noticed that one wasn't feeling well last night, and I held her extra long to pet. Today, I found her with eyes shut and dying. I called the person I bought the chicks from, and she told me not to use shredded paper as they might ingest some. I will feel terrible if I was the cause. She also told me it could be other reasons as to why she died. Two other reliable sources had told me it was the best thing to use.

I did buy the mini pine flakes, but again I'm afraid to use anything other than newspaper flat until they are two months old. BTW, I had cut a yoga mat into three pieces, and I'm using one under the side where they sleep. I put newspapers on top.

 

[TRMFAM]

You might search around the forum or Google...I have not seen anyone say flat newspaper was a good idea on top...several use it as a bottom layer with something with more grip / traction on top. I think you could potentially have some leg issues (splay leg, etc.) on a slippery surface...I picture Bambi in my mind when she was on the frozen pond.

At 8 days old they are getting around well and most likely running now...seems like a risk with the newspaper but you have to form your own opinion from the sources you trust.

 

[Lindyk]

I lost one yesterday, and it could have been because of the shredded newspaper I had two sources tell me about to use. It made me so sad to think that might have been the cause. I have switched to putting a yoga mat on the bottom, then newspapers secured on top of that. I also cut paper towels to go on top of the newspaper and under their water containers. I sprinkled pine flakes around, and they seem to love that to scratch around in and play in. I'm getting larger chips today. I'm also getting a couple of books on raising chickens today. I hope 13 is my lucky number as that is what I now have.

 

[Lindyk]

Yes, they have been running around for some time. In fact, I have to put a fishing net over the box I put them in while I clean their large box. Two have already shown me they could fly to the top of the smaller box.

 

[MrsBachbach]

I appreciate your reply to my question. I had shredded paper in their box three different times. I noticed that one wasn't feeling well last night, and I held her extra long to pet. Today, I found her with eyes shut and dying. I called the person I bought the chicks from, and she told me not to use shredded paper as they might ingest some. I will feel terrible if I was the cause. She also told me it could be other reasons as to why she died. Two other reliable sources had told me it was the best thing to use.

I did buy the mini pine flakes, but again I'm afraid to use anything other than newspaper flat until they are two months old. BTW, I had cut a yoga mat into three pieces, and I'm using one under the side where they sleep. I put newspapers on top.

It's not a good idea to raise chicks on newspaper. It is too slick a surface and could cause them to have leg problems like splay leg while growing. When they start scratching and shred the stuff they will eat it also. You can put the large flake shavings(not the fine) on top of newspaper to help with grip . I don't recommend the fine shavings because they really tend to eat those and you may end up dealing with impacted crops in chicks. Also don't use any cedar shavings (smell is harmful to chicks). Many use paper towels on top of newspaper or just towels if you aren't going to use the flake shavings. I use the rubbermaid type kitchen shelf liners and put shavings on top of that. The liners are washable and reusable. A little whisk broom and dustpan makes changing out the shavings when they get too soiled a fairly easy job. The shelf liner provides good grip and they can't shred it or tear it up when they get older. Always provide some chick grit (I use parakeet gravel and grit for first two weeks) when you have your chicks on any kind of shavings.