LJ's Chooks Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Can i used cross cut shredded paper in the nest box.... i've been searching as i think my girls have an issue with aubiose. I figured i would use shredded paper, but found a link suggesting they may eat it and possibly get sour crop etc. Is this true???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I've been using shredded paper for ages now, never had any problems, although they do tend to drag it all out and into the run Use it, it's free!! Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 Hi Tessa... do you use the long shredded or the cross shredded short bits? I get the impression this makes a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I've never got on with it. I've always found that it gets manky, isn't absorbent, and gets festooned all over the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I use long shredded, I know you shouldn't really as it can get tangled round their legs. I really have never had a problem though and I do change the nest box every day so it never gets manky. It amuses me when they poo on it because it is mostly made up of shredded up bills and the like Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the eggman cometh Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 we did use it for a while, but now use straw but only as it makes less mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 thanks Egluntine... I just saw the thread on the clinic about hemcore causing problems, then put two and two together that our latest feather pulling is only going on since we changed hemcore to aubiose and only on the girls that are in lay, so figure this may be our problem. I think OH will do his nut if i try and buy another bedding option so thought paper would be a good option, but not sure now due to the health and hygeine case... Oh i cant decide what to do... chooks definitely hold the emotional strings... just like the kids, you want to do what is right!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 We use the sort of wood shaving that are sold for pet bedding in ours, they are pretty absorbant and look and smell nice. We have tried shredded paper but found that they just dragged it into the run all the time, then we used strw but were told that it can be eaten and have mould spores on it that can harm the hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I used shredded paper in the nest box, and change it daily because one of the little princesses (at least!) insists on sleeping in the next box It's very rare that I have a clean box to look at in the morning, but I agree it does tend to scatter across the garden like confetti when caught by the wind Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I tried shredded newspaper for a while but got fed up of the peeling shreds of sodden paper off the eggs and finding the newsprint had transferred onto the shells Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebe Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I used straw but then got worried about their crops when I saw them eating it. So I used shredded paper, but they chuck it everywhere, and it just looks like litter. At the moment I am using wood shavings - so far, so good....... (since I've only had them 5 weeks, 3 sorts of bedding is not bad going) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jill the potter Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I use Tesco's value, dust extracted sawdust. Works well and is very absorbent. I use a large packet in about a month/six weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebe Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 "dust extracted sawdust" that sounds good because I was a bit worried about the small cloud of dust which came off when I broke up the wood shavings. Perhaps that will be my fourth sort... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbigailGrace Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I use straw.. I don't think they mind as one of them must go and use it during the night.. As all we have had so far is poo in the nest box.. I added a ball shaped egg thing to there nest box to see if that would encourage any eggs.. After this week i may try wood shavings as i'm not buying them as my gerbils use these.. After that i will try paper.. Does anyone know if you can use the sented shavings i mix part of this with my gerbils bedding and it keeps it smelling lovely.. http://www.shopwiki.co.uk/detail/?q=Wood+shavings&s=407097&o=195252012&d=Lavender+Scented+Wood+Shavings+(compact) They also do lemon.. I normally buy this from pets at home but it isn't on the site but you get what i mean.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbigailGrace Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I use Tesco's value, dust extracted sawdust. Works well and is very absorbent. I use a large packet in about a month/six weeks Do you use this..? http://www.tesco.com/superstore/product/promo.aspx?prodId=63632976 It's not at a bad price for buy one get one free i may get some.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I use shredded paper, my mum works in the Post Office and they have to shred everything so I get tons of the stuff - finely, cross cut shredded. I have noticed them eating it quite often though, and was wondering if it cause them any problems? I just assumed it would break up when it got wet and would pass through them. I do change it daily though and I have a daily lump of poo in the nest box, I don't know if they sleep in there or just hang over the edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dora Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Hi, I use shredded paper with no probs so far. One of my girls sleeps in the nest box so it has to be cleaned out most days and I put it all in the composter so it gets recycled . plus as was said earlier its free !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyber Chook Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I've had the same problem as mentioned here - I find it irritating peeling off little bits of paper from the eggs. I use Hemcore, and poo pick when I collect the eggs, so the next eggs don't get messy. Then clean out the Hemcore every now and then when I do the Big Clean of the Cube. I read somewhere here that straw can attract red mites as they like to crawl into the hollow stems and come out at night. I don't know if anyone's found this to be a problem? Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
