can i use pine straw(needles) in nest boxes as nesting material?

[backdoorchicken]

is that cool?

 

[DTchickens]

I don't think it'd be.. If the hen put it there though i guess it's fine.

ETA: Is pine needles the same as pine straw? If not then i guess i couldn't answer

.

 

[backdoorchicken]

pine needles are what some folks call them.

i am talking about this:

i have it everywhere in my lawn. it is what i use to mulch my flower beds. can i use it as the nesting material in my nest boxes?

 

[dixiechick]

I use it, except DH has raked it all and hauled it all away

Bring my ladies some!!

 

[birdseyeview]

Pine straw is fine. I use it all the time in my nesting boxes.

 

[card5640]

I do too, chickens have been fine w/ it. I also use bags if dried leaves during the winter for the floor, they love scratching in it. No probs with either and they are free (-labor and storage)

 

[mtullis]

how has this been working?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

There are pine species that have really short needles that may not work well. If the ones you have produce needles long enough to be called 'straw' when they are dropped they ought to work well. I have long-leaf pine on my property and they produce needles that are my preferred nest litter.

.....Alan.

 

[mtullis]

ours are long-lodgepole, old growth...

thank you!

 

[backdoorchicken]

ours is the long version.

it worked fine but i switched to wheat straw when i grabbed a bale from home depot