How long do you leave paper towels down?

[Foghorn]

I read where it says for the first day, to put down paper towels. Do you go longer? Why? Will it be safe enough to take it out after a day? They are all eating well and "stealing" bits of shavings from under the towels anyway. The little buggers grab the paper at the edge and run backwards to get at the shavings. Kinda cute, but defeats the purpose of having paper towels in there. I can't belive how much these little balls can poop! But I guess thats a good thing. So, would it be ok to take the paper towels out now? Or wait?

 

[speckledhen]

Up to your discretion. They will eat some of the shavings no matter when you remove the paper towels. I try to leave them for about a week, but I've taken them out sooner, too. Maybe sprinkling a bit of sand/grit around for them to get will help them grind up the ones they do eat.

 

[BeckyLa]

My understanding is that the reason for the paper towels is so they don't eat the shavings instead of their food. When they're new they have to learn what is food and what is not. So, if they've figured out that the starter is their food and they're eating it very well, then there is no reason not to take out the paper towels. They'll play with the shavings and maybe eat some, but they'll go back to their starter when they're hungry.

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