Pelletized Newspaper Bedding for Turkeys and Its Effect On Brooding Performance

Wood shavings used for poultry bedding may become increasingly difficult or expensive to obtain. A post-consumer paper product, derived of pelletized newspaper, was evaluated to determine the feasibility of its use as an alternative type of turkey bedding. Results of these trials indicate that a pelletized newspaper product can be used as successfully as pine shavings for bedding under brooding turkeys. Turkeys brooded on the newspaper bedding had weight gains equal to their shavings-brooded counterparts. Mortality was reduced by using the pelletized newspaper.