Using Shredded Paper for Coop Litter - As Good As Wood Chips?

[TropicalBabies]

I found an interesting YouTube video on a comparison of different litter material used for brooder. One of the litter options was shredded paper. She had 5 different categories to consider. The shredded paper came out as the #1 preference for her chicks to sleep in, which was one category. I guess you can buy shredded paper in compressed plastic wrapped bales, which is what she did, but I don't know why you could not just use your own paper shreds you make at home. Anyway, she spent good money on buying shredded paper bales and that knocked it down in the cost category compared to the low cost she paid for sand. I think if she had been using free paper sheds, maybe paper would have come out top in that category, too.

Anyway, interesting to see a comparison of different litter methods to use for the chicks.

I won't use my shredded paper in my brooder as I don't want, and my baby chicks will eat the paper. Don't want them to start with digestive problems. Also slippage.
Purchased shredded paper may have a larger shred and different paper. Though, I have not done cardboard and may try with my littles in the future.

 

[LaFleche]

Considering the amount of chemicals and toxic substances used to create all this nicely coloured papers (printing ink etc.), I would definitely not use shredded paper in my coops, nor would I use any ashes of said papers for my chickens or my garden.

Lots of ongoing product recall campaigns because of toxic mineral oils (colourful packaging) having penetrated into the products.

I only use wood ashes for my chickens' dust bath and wood chips in the coops.

 

[3KillerBs]

Considering the amount of chemicals and toxic substances used to create all this nicely coloured papers (printing ink etc.), I would definitely not use shredded paper in my coops, nor would I use any ashes of said papers for my chickens or my garden.

Lots of ongoing product recall campaigns because of toxic mineral oils (colourful packaging) having penetrated into the products.

I only use wood ashes for my chickens' dust bath and wood chips in the coops.

IIRC, in the US it's mostly soy-based inks now because they're less expensive than the older, more toxic inks.

 

[gtaus]

Been a recycler/reuser/repurposer/composter for decades and I tell ya, it never gets old. Reading your thread and hearing all of the positive and forward responses and great ideas makes my toes wiggle. basically a great share.

Lots of good people on this forum.

 

[gtaus]

I won't use my shredded paper in my brooder as I don't want, and my baby chicks will eat the paper.

Baby chicks are not so smart. I usually put some paper towels over my wood chips or pine shaving litter in the brooder for the first couple of days. That gives them enough time to figure out their food in the feeder.

I am not trying to say anybody should use paper shreds in their setup, I am just experimenting with paper shreds as coop deep litter this winter, and it is working out much better for me than I thought it would. It's a free resource for me to experiment with my setup.

Last time I had chicks in the brooder, I used wood chips. That worked great for me. This spring, if I get some new chicks, I think I will try paper shreds with them in the brooder. But I will be using my homemade paper shreds and not a store bought plastic wrapped bale of shreds. My goal is to reuse as much stuff as I can at home to both save on expenses and reduce the amount of material sent to the landfill/recycle center.

 

[gtaus]

Considering the amount of chemicals and toxic substances used to create all this nicely coloured papers (printing ink etc.), I would definitely not use shredded paper in my coops, nor would I use any ashes of said papers for my chickens or my garden.

Lots of ongoing product recall campaigns because of toxic mineral oils (colourful packaging) having penetrated into the products.

I only use wood ashes for my chickens' dust bath and wood chips in the coops.

Oh, I understand not wanting any chemicals or toxic substances in contact with your chickens or later, your compost. FWIW, I contacted our local newspaper printer and they said all their ink is now (for many years) soy based and biodegradable safe for composting. I think it is a law where I live. I think most junk mail falls into the same category.

I don't shred our magazines. It takes too much time and, like you, I think that type of paper with those inks are maybe not safe. But I don't know that for sure. Maybe someone on the forum is more knowledgeable about that issue.

For the past 2 years I have been using wood chips as dry deep litter in my chicken coop. It has worked great for me and I have nothing but good things to say about it. However, I get all the free wood chips I need from our local county landfill. I just load them up myself into my trailer. But not everyone has access to free wood chips, but I would think that almost everybody might be able to shred junk mail and light cardboard at home for use with their chickens. So, I thought I would try it out this winter.

 

[Sally PB]

Is it all gone from the nestbox, or just some missing?
Could they have thrown it on the floor, and mixed it into whatever else is there?

I know it's not on the floor, and very little is still in the nest box. I actually saw one of the pullets eat some.

This time of year, if I have paper I don't want to recycle (bank statements, etc.; yes, I still get paper statements!), it often ends up as fire starter in the wood stove. I shred more in the warmer months.

And this reminds me: Tomorrow is recycle day!

 

[LaFleche]

Oh, I understand not wanting any chemicals or toxic substances in contact with your chickens or later, your compost. FWIW, I contacted our local newspaper printer and they said all their ink is now (for many years) soy based and biodegradable safe for composting. I think it is a law where I live. I think most junk mail falls into the same category.

That is very good! So at least for you my concerns regarding the use of shredded papers in the coop are not applicable.

Sadly, here in Germany that is not (yet) the case.

I am all for recycling and repurposing materials as long as there are no toxins in the way.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I built my coop with the idea of having deep litter inside the coop. My litter base walls are 12 inches high to the bottom of the pop door

Me too deep litter on dirt floor, we think alike. The chickens get it stuck to their feet and drag it into the run. The door to the run opens everyday, mostly they go out during the day.

I am cleaning out the litter that has built up the last two years, it will be about 30 wheelbarrows full I am guessing.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Baby chicks are not so smart. I usually put some paper towels over my wood chips or pine shaving litter in the brooder for the first couple of days. That gives them enough time to figure out their food in the feeder.

I am not trying to say anybody should use paper shreds in their setup, I am just experimenting with paper shreds as coop deep litter this winter, and it is working out much better for me than I thought it would. It's a free resource for me to experiment with my setup.

Last time I had chicks in the brooder, I used wood chips. That worked great for me. This spring, if I get some new chicks, I think I will try paper shreds with them in the brooder. But I will be using my homemade paper shreds and not a store bought plastic wrapped bale of shreds. My goal is to reuse as much stuff as I can at home to both save on expenses and reduce the amount of material sent to the landfill/recycle center.

I actually use towels for the bottom of my brooder. I bought my first bag of pine shavings almost 6 months ago because I was going to be up the mountain with less conveniences and certainly no washer. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the simplicity but will go back to my old towels and use the rest of the pine sparingly. I did do a few samples of the pine in a few nest boxes and to my surprise the girls preferred or were used to shredded paper and grass.