Best nesting material?

[fshinggrl]

I know straw is commonly used in nest boxes... is there anything else that you'd recommend? Pros/cons?

 

[faykokoWV]

great questions. I'd love to know another nesting material besides straw. I hate straw. I've been using the same pine shavings I use for litter, but I'm afraid it might be too "pokey" if one goes broody.

 

[Judy]

I like hay for nests.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

I prefer bermuda hay in my nest boxes. Not only does it smell nice and look pretty but they can eat it too unlike straw.

 

[DTchickens]

hay's what i use as well, That and leaves if i don't have access to hay.

 

[faykokoWV]

Quote:
Are there any leaves we should avoid?

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Are there any leaves we should avoid?

Just be sure they are well dried out and have no leaf mold.

 

[DTchickens]

Quote:
Are there any leaves we should avoid?

as far as i know, nope.. I just pick up the oak/hickory leaves off the ground and stuff them in the nest. i believe most are oak.. Of course you should avoid pine needles... obviously.. They can cause bumblefoot i hear.

 

[cmom]

I use spanish moss. Eveything else I tried went out of the nest boxes including eggs. Not so with the spanish moss. I live in Florida where it is very abundant so I just go get it off some trees.

 

[fshinggrl]

Thank you! It sounds like Hay (or spanish moss if available) is the answer!