Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Hen 1-0 Fox on June 21, 2012, 16:23
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Just wondered how many people use shredded paper as best box material or as general litter in the coop? I haven't used it myself, and imagine the absorption qualities are not as good as other materials but I have so much paper waste each month and am thinking of putting it a to a practical use. Any feedback very welcome!
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I used it last year as had mite and found that it helped a great deal ... The girls didn't mind it ..hope this helps x
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We use shredded paper in the nest box and they haven't complained :)
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I did use it but found it messy when the wind blew whilst cleaning them out etc, the girls then discovered a taste for paper so had to remove it.
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I use it in the nest boxes and coop if I have enough paper to shred that week. The rabbit hutch gets first dibs on shredded paper though. :lol:
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I had to stop using kitchen roll in my brooder box as the chicks would gobble it all up. I dont know if this would be the same for adult chicks and shredded paper. Also I hear the ink in the newspaper can affect their eggs or something, but maybe someone else has more info on that.
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Hmm ... Perhaps my ideas about recycling aren't appropriate... Maybe better sticking to wood shavings
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I use a mix of shredded paper and straw. No problems!
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Shredded paper (long strips not the cross cut type) should be OK in the nesting boxes. For use as general litter I don't like it. It has poor water retention, and it STINKS very quickly.
You might have to keep an eye on the hens for a few days to make sure they aren't eating it, else you could end up with impacted crops etc.
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Also found that they ate it.
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I mix it with straw to make the straw 'go further' ! It makes a mess when they spread it around, but as its an allotment, it doesn't bother anyone. It sticks to the eggs more than straw, but it composts well - so I give it a thumbs up!!
C