newspaper

[camaro10]

What is the hazard of chickens eating newspaper?

 

[PhilErvin]

Depends on weather they eat it before you get a chance to read it..

....sorry...seriously though, I see my girls eat all sorts of stuff (foam insulation, paper plates) and I have not seen any problem.

 

[Why and Dotte]

I just slip it in and keep it flat and un appetizing as possible, lol just keep an eye on them and if they start nibbling on it you'll have to take it away.
I had my chicks eat foam insulation too, seriously they're not very bright at that age.

 

[camaro10]

Thanks, I have the paper under the shavings and they got to it so I was a little worried.

 

[eggsited chickens]

My full grown chickens eat fresh pine shavings!

 

[elmo]

I thought the danger was slipping on the surface (leading to spraddle leg) more than eating it. If you put newspaper under your shavings, just be sure the layer is thick enough so they don't scratch down to the newspaper surface.

 

[camaro10]

They do. I put the shavings on thick and they scratch like crazy. What a mess.

 

[shellie003]

I too have the same trouble. I put down what seems like at least 2 inches of shavings and they scratch like crazy. Silly ladies. Is that ok?

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Scratching is a chicken's favorite pastime. If you can set up a little pen outdoors in your yard on a nice sunny day to let your chicks scratch around in the grass and dirt, that will make them so happy! Keep an eye on them, though, to make sure they're not too hot/cold or at risk from predators.

If you can't manage a way to do that, and your brooder is big enough, you could buy one of those squares of turf (just make sure it doesn't have chemicals on or in it), and let them play on that.