[FCG]

Is it ok to use shredded paper/newspaper as bedding for my chickens over a covering of wood shavings instead of straw?

Or do i not need to bother with the paper or straw and just stick with pure shavings?

[unaspenser]

I've been wondering about this as well, since I don't really have access to straw unless I find a vacant lot and cut it myself.  I'm going to stick around and see what responses you get.

[poultrygeist]

When you say bedding Mike, do you mean the litter on the floor of the coop, in which case, we use about an inch or two of wood shavigns in the main coop and straw in the nest box. But some people do use shredded paper instead of straw and maybe shavings.

Rob  

[FCG]

Thanks i get this now, i guess i'll just replace the straw with paper then. Paper is free, straw is not!

[poultrygeist]

You know it makes sense !!  

I must dig the shredder out and make some to try. I know it's suppose to go soggy fairly quickly but as long as you replace it regularly it should be ok.

Havign said that, we got a big bale of straw for £3 and it's lasted us about 3 months using it for the ducks as well, so it's pretty economical anyway.

Rob  

[FCG]

OOh, where did you get the bale from? Just rock up to a farm?

I might try that with rural cheshire all around me.

[Fifitrix]

You know it makes sense !!  

I must dig the shredder out and make some to try. I know it's suppose to go soggy fairly quickly but as long as you replace it regularly it should be ok.

Havign said that, we got a big bale of straw for £3 and it's lasted us about 3 months using it for the ducks as well, so it's pretty economical anyway.

Rob  

Our farm shop sells hay bales for £2!!!      

However, my shed is now covered in hay.   :roll:

As we have our own business and produce a lot of scrap paper not to mention old accounts I did wonder about the whole shredded paper thing but I read somewhere you shouldn't because the amount of dust from the paper isn't good for animals.

However, I sound like I'm making it up so the Jury's out.  

[unaspenser]

The floor of my pen is dry grass and plant material, but the girls spend most of the day out in the yard (though that may change soon).  I am having a hard time tracking down a bale of straw or hay, but I'll keep looking!

[blulagoo]

I was thinking of paper too. I read somewhere that if you put it in a net bag and give it a shake in the wind or just outside, it removes the dust and is ok.

I wondered about a layer of this and then a bit of sawdust / shavings over the top of it - just so they don't get papercuts - you know how sore they can be!

[poultrygeist]

We got the straw from the local feed merchant. It was about 4ft x 2ft sq.

I too have a shed floor covered in straw, until it got small enough to fit into a spare wheelie bin we inherited.  

I have read soemwhere that bracken can be used on the coop floor but have also read that bracken is poisonous to chickens. Seems to be a lot of seemingly confusing advice around.

Rob  

[SnooziSuzi]

I've used shredded paper one time because I ran out of shavings and I have to say I prefer the shavings.

With the paper, it got too wet too quickly and made no difference to the aroma in the henhouse, however I love the smell of the house when I've cleaned it and put new fresh wood shavings down on the floor and under the perch, and new straw in the nest boxes so I'd go for the wood shavings every time.

You could use the shredded paper as a mulch though so it still isn't going to waste!

[GrannieAnnie]

Brian doesn't like me to use shredded paper as he is worried the chooks may eat some and the ink could affect them, so I stick to shavings and my shredded paper goes on the compost heap!

[Miller]

How much for straw  :shock:  I'm not that far from you Rob and know farmers giving it away! I'm near Holbeach

[GrannieAnnie]

where, where, where?

Rob's Boston and we are at Bicker, and having trouble getting straw too Miller!!!!

[unaspenser]

I've been having luck finding straw on freecycle.org and craigslist.org, though I'm on the other side of the pond from you lot (currently at least).