Bare bottom nesting box

[chicChickChick]

I keep my nesting boxing filled with fresh straw. Inevitably the hens rustle the material so that they are surround by straw but lay the egg onto the bare hard wood bottom. This leads to cracked eggs.

Anyone have a good solution?

 

[sourland]

There are nesting pads that can be used beneath the nesting material. I have good luck by increasing the lip on the nest box and using grass hay rather than straw. The softer grass hay forms a more bowl shaped nest - essential if you are allowing hens to go broody and set a clutch.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Anyone have a good solution?

Put a pad under there.. some are removable for cleaning and there are even straw ones. Google (or search nesting pads)

Maybe stapling down some Indoor/outdoor carpet to the bottom of the box?

Maybe some shavings in the center of empty straw "bowl" would stay put well enough??


Hope this helps!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Zero cost padding: Take empty feed bags and fold them to fit the bottom of the nest box, and push them in there. Optionally you can put a couple sheets bubble wrap inside the feed bag first, then fold, for extra padding. They can be discarded guilt free if they get soiled.