Feeding problem

[Medina]

My egg laying chickens have started to eat the shredded paper in their laying box. Some days they eat it all - other days they leave it. They get laying ration, oyster shell, grit, corn screenings, and sometimes lettuce, tomatoes, apple or banana. There are 8 chickens in an 8 x 10 coop. This paper eating just started a few weeks ago. Why would they do this? Is it harmful to them? Will it affect the quality of the brown eggs?

 

[redsoxs]

I am not sure why they would eat the paper as it sounds like you give them everything they need....maybe you should switch out nesting material - try straw or pine shavings. And I don't think eating the paper would influence egg color.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I would definitely discourage them from doing that. Maybe change bedding. Perhaps they are bored? You could try fodder or a flock block or a treat ball to give them something to do?

 

[Medina]

What is a 'flock block' and 'treat ball'? Never heard of them. Where would I buy them? I live in Ontario.

 

[Medina]

No - not egg colour. The taste or nutrition of the egg. Thx.

 

[Attila the Hen]

I've used shredded paper and the newer chickens ate some of it so I removed it. I think it just looks interesting and it is only wood so shouldn't hurt them --except maybe the ink. I would change bedding. I stopped the shredded paper because it smelled bad and turned into a mess. When it got wet it turned into paper mache. You can mulch with it if you have a lot to use up.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

What is a 'flock block' and 'treat ball'? Never heard of them. Where would I buy them? I live in Ontario.

You can make your own flock block:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/10/flock-block-substitute-recipe-healthy.html

There are lots of things at any pet store you can use as a treat ball:

http://www.the7msnranch.com/2010/09/pampered-poultry.html

Here is info on fodder:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/713334/growing-fodder-for-chickens