What's the BEST Nest Box Material?

[TheBantyCoop]

I like pine shavings. I cut rosemary and put it in the coop. It is supposed to repel mites. I don't know if that's totally true, but I don't have mite problems.

Thats cool! I do love my rosemary

 

[Ballerina Bird]

Thats cool! I do love my rosemary

If you love rosemary..,.I know someone who crushes rosemary in her hands and rubs the hens' legs to prevent mites. I adapted that into "rosemary hug." I crush rosemary in my hands and then pick each hen up and hug her and rub under her wings a bit. They are very patient with me....

 

[TheBantyCoop]

If you love rosemary..,.I know someone who crushes rosemary in her hands and rubs the hens' legs to prevent mites. I adapted that into "rosemary hug." I crush rosemary in my hands and then pick each hen up and hug her and rub under her wings a bit. They are very patient with me....

Aww, what kind of girls do you have?

 

[Ballerina Bird]

Aww, what kind of girls do you have?

They are called pita pintas (they are a Spanish heritage breed), and they are the sweetest things ever. So calm and friendly and cheerful.

This is my Odile:

 

[TheBantyCoop]

They are called pita pintas (they are a Spanish heritage breed), and they are the sweetest things ever. So calm and friendly and cheerful.

This is my Odile:

So cute!!

 

[Sunny Windsong]

If using leaves. ..are there any to stay away from, like as in toxic?

 

[Ballerina Bird]

If using leaves. ..are there any to stay away from, like as in toxic?

I don't know the answer to that question, but I might make another pitch for pine shavings rather than leaves -- I worry that leaves that one collects might still retain some moisture. That's just my preference, though -- if you have other reasons for wanting to use leaves I'm sure they would work fine.

 

[Beezer]

Total newbie here- I saw shredded paper listed as an option somewhere... Would that work? Maybe mixed 50/50 with pine shavings? I'm a teacher and would have access to lots of that for free.

 

[Sunny Windsong]

Total newbie here- I saw shredded paper listed as an option somewhere... Would that work? Maybe mixed 50/50 with pine shavings? I'm a teacher and would have access to lots of that for free.

I'm no expert, but I would think paper would be a real mess if it should get wet.

 

[TheBantyCoop]

I'm no expert, but I would think paper would be a real mess if it should get wet.

It is!! I've tried it!!
So much of a nightmare to clean up!!