Eating newspaper?

Posted by Kelly on February 18, 2011 at 3:22pm

I have a brooder with 11, 4-5week old chicks. They are doing great so far, but I have noticed that they are eating some of the shredded newspaper bedding. Does anyone know if this is harmful?

Thanks!

Kelly

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Replies

  • Kelly February 21, 2011 at 8:31am
    Thank you Rachel and Chris for your advice! I will be changing the bedding today!
    • LeAnn Holcomb > Kelly February 21, 2011 at 12:06pm

      WHen I have brooder chicks, I use brown paper grocery sacks.  They are free, disposable, compostable (tear them in strips about 1-2 " wide before putting into the broode: big flat pieces take a lot longer to compost) and not so fragile that the chicks will eat them.  I tear the sacks open to lay them flat, with the inside up because it is less slick for baby feet. Works pretty good: I haven't had any feet problems or crop problems. I also lay a few pieces of 2x4 scrap wood in there to hold down the paper and give perches: they get pretty trashed and I throw the lot out when the babies leave the brooder.

  • Rachel February 18, 2011 at 3:33pm
    It's not unusual for them to eat a piece or two but it can get impacted in their crops if they eat too much. It might be a good idea to switch to another bedding like straw and to make sure they have access to food 24 hours a day for the remainder of their time in the brooder.
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