Cat Litter Boxes as Nesting Boxes?

[bdorsey5151]

Turns out microban/triclosan is bad news. Here's the article I finally found:

https://mightynest.com/learn/research-by-concern/dangers-of-triclosan

 

[pennyJo1960]

Turns out microban/triclosan is bad news. Here's the article I finally found:

https://mightynest.com/learn/research-by-concern/dangers-of-triclosan

We can data on most any product that says we will die from it.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I made some like this, which have been mentioned and would function much the same way the litter box would:

As it so happens, my birds did not like them, they don’t seem to like anything covered, but did use them when I turned them right side up and let them enter them through the holes I cut and just sit open to the air. Also a ton cheaper than buying litter boxes.

 

[aart]

Turns out microban/triclosan is bad news. Here's the article I finally found:

https://mightynest.com/learn/research-by-concern/dangers-of-triclosan

I agree the whole 'antibacterial' rage is not good.
But I think that article is more about the use of it as a liquid/foam by humans coating their hands with it...I wouldn't buy a cutting board with it, but not sure it would affect chickens using litter pan as a nest. If you have the option of getting without the microban, that would be my choice, but its up to you.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I use shavings not stray but they are not upside down either

 

[aart]

they don’t seem to like anything covered,

Mine love their cozy nests.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

Mine love their cozy nests.


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I know, they’re so weird. Everyone else’s chickens seem to love covered boxes but what ultimately got mine to lay in one spot consistently was just four pieces of 2x4 nailed together to make a square with a piece of plywood for the bottom. On the floor in the spot of their choice. They have two of those and two of the plastic tub upside down from intended jobbers and they still use one or two corners when things there’s a lot of traffic in the coop.

 

[bdorsey5151]

I made some like this, which have been mentioned and would function much the same way the litter box would:

As it so happens, my birds did not like them, they don’t seem to like anything covered, but did use them when I turned them right side up and let them enter them through the holes I cut and just sit open to the air. Also a ton cheaper than buying litter boxes.

That's a great idea!

 

[Birdsong 82]

It seems that it would be expensive to use litter boxes like that as nesting boxes. There’s definitely a lot of very inventive ideas out there for less expensive nesting boxes without the chemical that you may be worried about. My hens Perfer their make shift nesting box rather than the nicer ones we made for them.

 

[bdorsey5151]

I'll keep looking ... thanks. We don't need to spend a ton, that's true. One of the reasons I thought the litter boxes would work well is because the coop is at a friend's house. She's had 4 knee surgeries & a broken leg over the last 2 years & really wants to take care of the chickens herself, even tho she's still using a walker. I thought the elevated litter boxes would give her an easy way to clean & get eggs.