Use of shredded paper

[stillok]

Does anyone use shredded paper in their coop? If so, how does it work? Is it safe for the girls?

 

[so lucky]

I would think it would be hard for them to get around in, catching their feet on the curled up paper strips. Also, probably not very absorbent. I have thought about using shredded paper in my garden for mulch, though.

 

[~KH~]

I use a little shredded paper occasionally in my coop, but it's along with pine needles, leaves, garden stuff, forage hay, etc. I think it works fine mixed in with all that other stuff, but don't know that it would be very good by itself.

 

[Compost King]

I use shredded paper in my indoor brooder, when I end up with a surplus it can end up in a coop or run... never had an issue with it.. I tend to keep indoor bedding (shredded newspaper and cardboard) indoors and outdoor stuff (straw leaves mulch hay sticks leaves) outdoors but indoor stuff can outside if needed.

 

[Pekin747]

I would think it would be hard for them to get around in, catching their feet on the curled up paper strips. Also, probably not very absorbent. I have thought about using shredded paper in my garden for mulch, though.

Not a good idea some paper can give of certain chemicals that rnt good for ur garden I seen someone talk about I can remember exactly but I think it was justin Rhodes from YouTube could be wrong tho

 

[Pekin747]

I use shredded paper in my indoor brooder, when I end up with a surplus it can end up in a coop or run... never had an issue with it.. I tend to keep indoor bedding (shredded newspaper and cardboard) indoors and outdoor stuff (straw leaves mulch hay sticks leaves) outdoors but indoor stuff can outside if needed.

How to u shred ur paper? By hand?

 

[Compost King]

@Pekin747 I have a paper shredder I bought at Walmart a few years ago. They tend to last about 5 years and that's five years of not having to buy Pine shavings. I forgot the price but I got the most expensive one, some of the cheaper ones make long shreds which is annoying in a brooder. Justin Rhodes lives near me, I believe he goes above and beyond when it comes to staying organic. I totally respect that but I do not take it to the level he does because saving a few bucks is a much higher priority for me. I just stay Mostly organic instead of fully organic. Sometimes Cardboard and paper get treated with some sort of pesticide, not sure what... but until I end up with some sort of symptom that leads to down the road of changing bedding I am not going to spend money on Pine shavings. Shredded newspaper and cardboard works fine for me.

 

[stillok]

How to u shred ur paper? By hand?

Paper shredder

 

[aart]

Mostly organic

Kinda like being a little bit pregnant

 

[paintedChix]

I've used shredded paper in both our little brooders and in my 8x8 hooped coop/pens. I also use it VERY spread out as a mulch - preferable mixed with other materials as it will turn into hard cement if it's caked together - in the brooder, in a coop/run and in the garden.

My girlfriend has a shredder that seems to double shred everything - it's really tiny bits/pieces and very dusty - i use that as our mulch when I can get it from her. I have a shredder that works slightly differently... The pieces aren't double shredded but it's nice and short/narrow. I think I got our shredder at Office Max, can't remember. It will shred cardboard boxes and plastic as well. I shred A LOT OF CARDBOARD, LOL. I bring boxes home from the Spay Neuter Vet clinic that I work for every week.



The next coop actually had the door left partially open, and the chickens were wiped out in February. Had done a couple different layers of natural materials and shredded paper. We are currently making the coop/pen stronger, more predator proof and then will break up the bedding again w/ a broadfork and add more. We aren't ready to strip this coop/pen yet at all. Also - when you go thru the linked album below, you will see that this coop had other paper/trash (mostly paper towels) - that the chickens proceeded to shred for us!



There are many more pictures in this album -

Coops, Cattle Panels, DLM & Sheds

There is also more pics here - Chickens & Ducks