[Wheelchair Gardener]

Hi all,

We have taken the plunge and got 3 chickens yesterday, and at the moment we are using wood shavings but having just sorted a load of paperwork I have a large bag of shredded paper on hand, would it be ok to use a bit of this as well?
It is made up of old letters, leaflets etc and paper that has been through the computer printer at home, and erring on the side of caution (or paranoia) we weren't sure if any of the inks would be harmful?.

[8doubles]

I think the inks are safe but i`m not sure about using hard or glossy paper(paper cuts?).
I use shredded newspaper* making sure its no longer than 6-8" or it just gets caught around their legs and dragged outside.

Ps *nestbox only not coop floor

[celjaci]

I've been using it for a while, both on the shed floor and in the nestboxes and it seems to be fine- only problem is that some trails out on their feet into the run.
 When cleaned out the 'activated' paper should compost fairly quickly.
For me it's a really good use for junk mail etc

[kimT]

Shredded paper gets everywhere including knotted around their legs stick to the shavings.

[agingchick]

Hi I use shredded paper in the nest box I usually chop up the long pieces it works really well, its free and nobody can read your bank statements after the chickens have messed it up
Diane

[celjaci]

Shredded paper gets everywhere including knotted around their legs stick to the shavings.

A cross-cut shredder cuts the paper into small pieces , 1 inch max so we don't get any problems wrapping round legs

[Wheelchair Gardener]

We cleaned out the house this morning put fresh woodshavings and a bit of shredded paper, they didn't like the paper, kicked it all straight out the door!
Wood shavings for my lot then 

[Kate and her Ducks]

Picky so and sos aren't they!

[smiler43]

I've only ever used wood shavings in the coop and nestbox, they've never asked for anything else

[Sparr0wman]

My 2 have wood shavings as from this morning ( changed from straw), and they like it so much thay are eating it please somebody tell me it won't harm them

[aspirant]

We used shredded paper (cross cut) for bedding as it is free and composts well once pooed on.

We have changed back to straw though after having two birds with blocked crops. It may have been a coincidence but our birds will eat ANYTHING so we suspect they were snacking on paper.

One was poorly recently and investigation showed she had managed to get a mouthful of Foxglove through a gap in the fence. Okay now luckily.

[Poolfield2]

My 2 have wood shavings as from this morning ( changed from straw), and they like it so much thay are eating it please somebody tell me it won't harm them

I've noticed that mine will eat saw dust if I'm using power tools outside, I don't know why they like it