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

[littlecoopnextdoor]

I’ve been mixing hemp bedding with shredded paper and it works great in a deep litter system. No smell, nice and dry.

 

[Molpet]

As to the recycle bins, I just don't think much, if any, of our recycle bin paper ever gets used again.

Paper is the thing that actually gets recycled. YMMV

Paper one of the most recycled materials: AF&PA 2023 report https://share.google/eR1U2wsbXQwMadJlw

Around here the schools and churches have paper recycling bins because they get money for the paper.

 

[gtaus]

Paper is the thing that actually gets recycled. YMMV

Paper one of the most recycled materials: AF&PA 2023 report https://share.google/eR1U2wsbXQwMadJlw

Around here the schools and churches have paper recycling bins because they get money for the paper.

That's good to know. If ~70% of paper brought back to the recycle center gets reused, that is really some great progress. I'm all for that.

We don't get any money for paper we take to the recycle center. I think that it's a great incentive for charity groups to make a little extra money. Sounds like a good program to me.

In any case, I process almost 100% of my paper and cardboard products at home. Shredding everything up and using it as coop litter, nest box material, and composting. No waste here. What I cannot shred, I save for fire starting when I burn out stumps.

 

[gtaus]

I’ve been mixing hemp bedding with shredded paper and it works great in a deep litter system. No smell, nice and dry.

That sounds like a good use of both materials. I have not seen hemp bedding where I live. Do you buy it by the bag, bale, or some other way? Is hemp bedding expensive? I hear hemp bedding works great and smells good. That would be nice.

My paper shreds have basically no smell at all. In the summertime, I like to chip up some fresh pine tree branches and toss that into the coop. The chipped-up needles smell great for a few weeks.

 

[gtaus]

I was at our local church charity Thrift Shop today and picked up yet another paper shredder. It was just a small 6-sheet shredder, and I won't use it for shredding heavy cardboard. But I only paid $1.50 for it so it will be good to have as a backup if/when my other shredder break or wear out. It shreds paper fine.

I usually get 2-3 years of service out of these used Thrift Store paper shredders. But I do break them and/or wear them out shredding paper and cardboard for the chickens. But I more than get my money's worth out of the shredders in that time. Not only have I not had to buy any coop litter, but I also get a lot of satisfaction in using all our shredder paper products at home.

I think I have bought 3 used paper shredders in the last 2 months from the Thrift Store. I just test them out and put them into backup storage. Prior to that, it was probably over a year between the last paper shredders were in the Thrift Shop. So, I buy them when available because I know it can be months and months between donations. Well, for $1.50, it's not a major investment even if I don't need it right now.

 

[Three Stents]

Beginner here....no hens yet, but I plan on using the artificial grass nesting pads. Was thinking about putting some shredded brown paper bags in the boxes, so the mommas can make a "nest". What say you?

 

[gtaus]

Beginner here....no hens yet, but I plan on using the artificial grass nesting pads. Was thinking about putting some shredded brown paper bags in the boxes, so the mommas can make a "nest". What say you?

I tried using regular paper shreds in the nest boxes. The paper would stick to the eggs and be just a bit more work to wash off when we cleaned the eggs. So, I switched to using shredded cardboard in the nest boxes and that worked better.

Those brown paper bags are heavier than normal paper, so they may work better than regular paper shreds. I would certainly give it a try.

 

[paintedChix]

Beginner here....no hens yet, but I plan on using the artificial grass nesting pads. Was thinking about putting some shredded brown paper bags in the boxes, so the mommas can make a "nest". What say you?

I agree w/ gtaus. I use paper shreds in pens, coops & chickens brooders. In nest boxes though, they stick to the eggs (wet when 1st laid) & dry hard. It is hard to get them off, even w/ a full scrub.

Late summer/early fall, this year, i mixed them w/ leaves. That DID work, though the shred usually ended at the bottom of the nest boxes & you really dont see it... Only in 3rd pic can you see some.