ruddocg Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Hi I am new to keeping Chickens - I have 2 14 week old chicks. I currently fed them on Growers Pellets, left over veg and pasta and they have an area to roam in the garden so feed on grass etc. So think they are well fed and healthy. My question is that I have been adding shredded paper to the nesting box as their bedding but they always seem to either throw it out or eat it - is this harmful to them? should I use hay (or straw can't remember which one to use - would they eat that as well) instead or as they are not yet at the laying stage (?? thats 19 weeks or so) then don't put anything in there at all. Only reason I did add bedding to the nesting box was that they are defecating in there instead!!! Thanks Ruddocg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 There's lots of different things you can put in the nesting area. I've heard of chickens eating paper before, and it doesn't seem to be a problem. I use shredded paper because it's free, but I also put in a handful of soft meadow hay. They eat that too, but mine are laying. As long as you pick out the poop it shouldn't be a problem. You could try white woodchip or aubiose, it's easier to pick the poo out of. If you don't want them to go in the nesting box try putting a couple of bricks in it. Also you say you're expecting them to lay at 19 weeks, don't hold your breath. Depends on the chicken but some people on the forum have waited much longer than that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Sorry didn't mean to be so negative about laying. Some people have also had early layers. Just didn't want you to get your hopes up too much in 5 weeks time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I use aubiose in the nest boxes I did try shredded newspaper once but found it stuck to the eggs so find it easier to use aubiose and if anyone poos in the next box its easy to scoop out. If yours aren't laying yet you could block off the nest box in the hope that they get out of the habit before they start laying or hopefully they might stop when they get too big to fit in not sure what chicken house you've got though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeloo Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Totally normal. I don't know why chicks like to eat their bedding, but my 5-week-olds love pine shavings. I have mine on paper and sometimes I put shavings over the top. If I don't have any shavings in and I drop in a pinch of mealworms and it's like, "No, thanks!" I toss in a handful of pine shavings and they go banana cakes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruddocg Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 Thanks all, the hen house is an Eglu Classic with 2 m run but then a 5m x 4m run I have setup in addition. Looks like nothing to worry about - only if they are showing signs of distress, illness, etc. As to the laying Sonyascott no worries I'm not holding my breath for anything this year as winter rolls in - but would be nice to start getting something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlisonH Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 I used to use paper but after a while it caused mine to get irritated skin and lose feathers underneath and get all sore. They also used to eat it so I gave up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Aubiose for me too You can make a little cover out of an old milk bottle and some screws, to cover the drainage hole and then the aubiose doesn't fall out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
