New to chickens and started adding shredded paper to wood chips as bedding. Is this OK?

[Carol Whitman]

We are new to chickens this year. We have 11 (I think only 1 rooster). We have a home based business so when I read that shredded paper is also a possible bedding we started adding it to our wood chips and mixing it together with a bit of DE. We are doing the DLM and it seems to be working well. The chickens seem to like it. Is there any negatives to using this? It's so readily available to us. I spend about an hour every 2 weeks shredding paper to get a big garbage bag full, so it's really easy for us.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Carol and welcome to BYC - great that you have joined us. I recently added some shredded paper to the coop bedding and my birds seem partial to eating it It's no something I will repeat, but if your birds have a little more sense, then I see no reason not to use it.

You may wish to drop by your country thread -
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/144/canadians-check-in-here

Best wishes
Pork Pie

 

[Hope Hughes]

Hello
Welcome to BYC!!
So glad to have you here!!
Thanks for sharing your story!!
There are many people on here that are ready to help in anyway they can!
The learning center also has alot of great information on it as well!
Enjoy!​

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Carol Welcome!

Apologies that I can not answer your question regarding paper. I do use the deep litter method in the run but only garden material. Because of our climate, the raised coop has a slatted, timber floor for additional air flow and straw in the nest boxes.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

Personally, I have found the Topic of the Week articles a great resource and a one stop shop for questions which may have already been discussed within the BYC membership group.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Carol Happy to have you join the family. Enjoy your time here!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I love recycling in all its various forms.

However, I'm chemically sensitive, and although I can browse magazines and newspapers, the inks and treated papers tend to bother my eyes and affect my breathing.

Soy ink is widely used. I'd be concerned not knowing for sure what's on the paper. I wouldn't include glossy paper or store receipts. BPA is a big concern. It's a chemical used on thermal paper.

And I'm sure you remove all staples.

Do you intend to compost the bedding? That's where the chemicals would be another concern.

 

[Carol Whitman]

I love recycling in all its various forms.

However, I'm chemically sensitive, and although I can browse magazines and newspapers, the inks and treated papers tend to bother my eyes and affect my breathing.

Soy ink is widely used. I'd be concerned not knowing for sure what's on the paper. I wouldn't include glossy paper or store receipts. BPA is a big concern. It's a chemical used on thermal paper.

And I'm sure you remove all staples.

Do you intend to compost the bedding? That's where the chemicals would be another concern.

 

[Carol Whitman]

I only use the black and white newspaper. I don't like shredding the glossy stuff. I have more than enough black and white paper. Our business provides more than enough sheet paper also. I do hope to till the waste into my large 85' x 120' garden in the spring. I didn't give the ink much thought but now I will pay more attention.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

I only use the black and white newspaper. I don't like shredding the glossy stuff. I have more than enough black and white paper. Our business provides more than enough sheet paper also. I do hope to till the waste into my large 85' x 120' garden in the spring. I didn't give the ink much thought but now I will pay more attention.

Well, if the chickens aren't eating the paper, it sounds like a good addition to your bedding.

Recycled paper is even used in toilet paper produced by Seventh Generation and other companies. I tried using compressed recycled paper pellets as kitty litter, but found pine shavings for horses to be a better and much more affordable option. I haven't yet called the company, though, to find out if the trees were felled for the shavings or if they're a byproduct of the lumber industry.

The recycled paper will also help bulk up the bedding for floor insulation. Does your shredder cut the paper into long strips or small pieces? And lots of people line their veggie garden beds with newspapers.

I think you're very clever doing this!