Paper from the office shredder as bedding and transporting 2 wk olds

[Purple Veg*n]

Not that I'm cheep or anything but I like to recycle anything that I can. And I do have a lot of Scottish DNA in my genes. The four chicks we're picking up on Saturday are going to be almost two weeks old. Would it hurt them to use the long strips of paper that was once "Premium Multi-Purpose Copy Paper" that had been printed on with an ink-jet printer for bedding in their new home? Which, btw, is a large size almost clear plastic storage tub with the lid modified to let air in and keep cats out and it needs something non-slippery for them to walk on. The permanent coop will be built weekend after next. Next weekend is the Austin Chicken Coop Tour and my DH wants to go to it so very much.

Also, it's going to be a three hour drive back to Uvalde from where we're getting our new babies. (We'll be more than half way there for a work conference on Saturday so we're not just driving a six-hour round trip for the chicks!) My DH doesn't think it will be necessary to provide food and water for them until we get home. Since the remains of their egg yolks are long gone, I think it would be on the safe side to provide some feed and water. How to keep the water from spilling is the big deal, I suppose. Thoughts?

 

[Shannon's Chix]

Pretty sure quite a few people use shredded paper, even with ink...no worries.

For the water thing, the only thing I can think of is nipple waterers but have no idea where you might get some. Or just give them some water when you stop?

 

[UGAchick]

I use shredded paper in my brooder, for the same reason - I have a ton of junk worksheets that need to go anyway. I have found that layering the bottom of the brooder with several solid sheets of paper, and then putting shredded paper on top makes for an easier clean up. Also, the strips get into the water and suck it away to the other strips. I am actually thinking of switching to pine shavings because the paper has been such a mess. I don't think it has harmed the chicks in any way, though.

If it were me, I would probably just let the chicks go without water for the three hour drive. They should be fine. If you are really concerned you can stop halfway and let them drink from caps of water bottles.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Shredded paper should be fine as said above

I would think they'd be okay on a 3 hour trip too. If you are that uncomfortable with them going that long without then I'd suggest taking some chick feed and wetting it a bit that way they have both in one container and it's less likely for soggy chick mush to get spilled. Good luck, and congrats on the new babies!