Bedding question

[AceCourier]

My girls have been completely removing their bedding from nesting boxes. I’m trying different mediums and hay, though a more expensive than straw, seems to hold better. I’ve seen some people using AstroTurf. How easy is that to care for?

+some pictures for flavor.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

do you have a ledge or a board in the way so they can't kick the bedding out? What bedding comes out of the nest boxes I use is purely by accident.

 

[AceCourier]

do you have a ledge or a board in the way so they can't kick the bedding out? What bedding comes out of the nest boxes I use is purely by accident.

Some of them have a lip. Maybe I should build a taller lip on some of the boxes and see the result. The problem is that they seem to want the material out of their houses completely. The material ends up strewn all around the run and is wasted.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Hmm... Put some straw down in the run too? My run is actually filled with straw or hay every time I change the coop bedding.

 

[AceCourier]

Hmm... Put some straw down in the run too? My run is actually filled with straw or hay every time I change the coop bedding.

I could give that a try. Mine usually has a fair amount outside from error already. I’ll spread some extra straw outside the coop when I clean next time and see what they do.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

The part of my run that the coop sits on is a concrete pad. To prevent bumble foot, I usually layer it thick with hay or straw. Then the dirt portion of my run, I also layer with straw, without cleaning up any of the stuff that's down. I'm making a great pile of compost for my garden that way.
I usually cycle it, hay or straw and pine shavings.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm guessing you need a deeper nest lip. If you have any bare soil in your run, I'd work on converting it to deep litter. Are your girls new layers? If so, they tend to be a bit more exuberant in fluffing and arranging the bedding.

 

[Cindy in PA]

I just started using astro turf nest pads about a month ago & so far I really like them. Just cleaned the coop yesterday & hosed them off for the first time. A few hens laid their eggs on the floor the first day, but then got right with the program. They seem to like them. I use Koop Klean or Flock Fresh for my bedding & I was tired of the tiny pieces of straw sticking to the otherwise clean eggs! I bought mine on sale at Meyer Hatchery. I might buy a larger piece next time & cut it, as it would be cheaper. I have to find astro turf that is made in the USA like these.

 

[AceCourier]

I'm guessing you need a deeper nest lip. If you have any bare soil in your run, I'd work on converting it to deep litter. Are your girls new layers? If so, they tend to be a bit more exuberant in fluffing and arranging the bedding.

They are about a year and a half old. Ill definitely look into a different lip. I made one today and it worked a little better at keeping the bedding controlled.

 

[Blingchix6]

View attachment 1355565 I use pine shavings and a lip and mine don’t seem interested to kick their bedding out. I have also used those excelsior pads that came in my Henny&Roo box. Good luck!