Criss-cross shredded paper question

[98662Chix]

Pure curiosity:

I shred ALL unwanted junk mail into small criss-cross shreds... rather than recycle it, could I add it to the pine shavings in the coop and rake it in?

Would that be bad for the chickens?

I'm new to this and it was just a thought. Looking for guidance - pros, cons, experience with this before. Thanks!

Susie

 

[HEChicken]

It won't be bad for them but can create a mess. I found that little bits were picked up by the wind and ended up blown around the yard. Mixing with pine shavings might help but on their own they tend to get sort of wadded down when wet (pooped on) and didn't create the nice, fluffy nest material I thought they would. If you are composting, they may decompose faster than the shavings but again, I found the wind picked them up out of the compost and blew them around. I do the same as you - shredding anything that has personal info on it but I've given up on using the pieces for the chooks. What I will do sometimes is to dig a very deep hole and bury them in it since eventually they will decompose. Then I put some kitchen scraps on top and cover with dirt. This keeps them from being dug up and redistributed by the wind and creates nice rich dirt for planting in the following year.

 

[Kaneke]

I wouldn't use this as "general" bedding material (I like using sand instead) -- but I am using shredded paper in the nest boxes only; it seems the girls like this to nest and snuggle in, and don't poo in it

my nest boxes are deep ... re-purposed covered kitty litter boxes ... so the shreds pretty much stay in the boxes

if I had one go broody, I would switch to different nest material .. but as long as they use nests for laying only, and do their pooing on the roost, in the run, or in the chicken tractor ... it works, and to me it makes sense to use different materials

 

[Denninmi]

I use it in the nest box, and then compost it.

Guarantee you, no one is going to try to piece it back together to get your visa card # after a few days in the nest box.

It works great, except for the few little bits that stick to the eggs when first laid, but those come off easily, so no big deal.

 

[al6517]

I only use shredded paper in the brooders as the chicks don't mess it quite as often and it's easier to manage. Paper in larger areas may cause some other issues Just a thought.

 

[98662Chix]

Thank you for all the responses - so many things to think about! Didn't think about that the paper wouldn't really dry out all that well, and that it'd blow around everywhere. I think I will use it as fluff in my boxes though. I just won't criss-cross cut it. Regular shredder will work. Again, thanks for the insight and information!

 

[CupOJoe42]

I personally wouldn't use shredded paper because it holds moisture and I don't know the contents of the ink that is printed on it. IMHO.