Nesting material

[Sam peoples]

I have some chickens that are pretty young, probably started laying 3-4 months ago. Well recently they have started to kick all of the nesting material (straw) out of the nesting boxes. Then when they lay eggs the eggs break because the chickens have kicked all the straw out of the nesting boxes. Then they’re all up there eating the broken egg. I don’t know what I should do. Should I try using shavings instead of the straw?

 

[SmiYa0126]

Yes, try shavings. I stopped using straw when I saw one of my hens eating it! Ugh!!

Is there a lip at the entry of your nesting boxes?

 

[Isabella6Storm4]

I have some chickens that are pretty young, probably started laying 3-4 months ago. Well recently they have started to kick all of the nesting material (straw) out of the nesting boxes. Then when they lay eggs the eggs break because the chickens have kicked all the straw out of the nesting boxes. Then they’re all up there eating the broken egg. I don’t know what I should do. Should I try using shavings instead of the straw?

They will usually scratch the shavings out too, the only thing that they cant really remove from the boxes is nesting mats. I have to refill hay like every 3 days to keep the eggs clean.

 

[akf93]

I had an old foam mat we lined the boxes with and put bedding on top. Then if the shavings are kicked out, there’s still a soft landing for the eggs.

 

[SourRoses]

We like to use soft, long strand Orchard Grass Hay because it's so easy to form a bowl out of that doesn't come apart easily, and the hens like it.
I just swirl it around in a circle and push down in the middle a bit, and Ta Da! They don't seem to feel the need to improve the nest. Plus, I no longer get stabbed by sharp pokey straw ends.
It's important to change Hay frequently, so it doesn't get moldy, but that's a good idea for clean eggs anyway.

 

[SmiYa0126]

I came upon an overturned basket today in my coop... So may need to rethink the shavings, my crazy gals

 

[Shadrach]

Try earth covered with some straw if your nesting boxes are on the ground and can take the weight. Easiest may be to cut a turf the size of the nest box floor. About 4 to 5 inches has worked for me in the past.

The scratching is about trying to make a hollow in the nest in which to lay their eggs.
This article explains some of the problems.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...e-make-a-sitting-hens-job-so-difficult.74389/

 

[Sam peoples]

Ok thank you. It is very weird because they don’t seem to be scratching to change around the nest, more just to scratch and look for things. That’s why I’m thinking I’ll try shavings which is already what I have down on the coop floor so they might be used to it and not scratch it up? That’s what I’m hoping at least.

 

[3KillerBs]

How deep is the lip on your nesting boxes? I've got about 5 inches on mine and still lose nesting material when new layers are vigorously kicking the stuff around.

It doesn't matter if I use shavings, straw, or dried grass. I need a good, deep lip on the box to keep it in.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A nice lip on the boxes helps a lot. So does some form of padding at the bottom. I use a folded feed bag with a couple sheets of bubble wrap inside (free!) Even with almost no nesting material in the boxes I don't have breakage issues with normal strength eggs.