newspaper eating

[momofet]

i'm really new to the wonderful world of chickens and so i have a question...

i have 2, 6 week old browns (RIR/Leghorn) who really like to shred, then eat newspaper. is this common or normal, if not, will the eating of paper harm them?

thanks for your help!

 

[enola]

The rule of thumb with chickens is they will eat anything that doesn't run away from them.

But, seriously, try feeding them some scrambled eggs for more protein. I do this when my chicks seem to be eating stupid things....

 

[snowydiamonds]

And, it isn't the best bedding for chicks, the ink nor the slick paper. You run risks using newspaper such as straddle leg. Better to use something where they have more "traction" and can develop their strength and agility normally. When first hatched, they can be on clean paper towels but soon its time to switch to pine shavings or straw, or a combination of that. I have used shredded paper from offices in the past, but only the "long" shredded paper, never the small bits of paper that the birds would want to eat.

 

[teach1rusl]

I agree w/Enola...chickens will sample just about anything. Rule of thumb: If it's something you don't want them to eat, they will find it and try to eat it.

 

[momofet]

thanks for all the advice. i'll try giving them the scrambled eggs and i'm sure they'll love it.

the chicks are outdoors during the day, running free range and are only in the cage at night and this is where i have it lined with newspaper. they just love to peck at it into shreds then eat it. my other chickens never did this and so i just thought it was very odd behavior.

i'll keep you posted. thanks again!