Cat Litter in Nesting Boxes?

[DuckWhisperer06]

So while going through the garage, I stumbled upon an unopened bag of cat/kitty litter. We just recently lost our cat (he was old and ran away). I was thinking of using the litter box (after a DEEP cleaning) as a temporary nesting box since we have gotten any in their new pen yet. We normally use pine shavings, but we haven’t been able to get any lately. My question is, can I use the cat litter as nesting material? I don’t even know it they would lay in it but I would hate to waste it. We used to buy the 25-30 lb bags of cat litter so we didn’t have to buy it as often, so there’s a lot of litter.

 

[Norcal527]

Is it the clay type? Or wood pellets...or?? I would only use cat litter if it is the wood pellet type and I would just use it in the coop...not nest boxes as it's not very soft.

 

[Norcal527]

Maybe you could donate to a local shelter?

 

[Darmamommy]

We keep a bag of cat litter in the garage for oil spills or other chemical spills. Not that it happens very often but it's a quick safe way to clean up a mess like that. Wouldn't put it in nesting boxes!

 

[Norcal527]

Dont see why not if you're good with eating eggs from it lol

 

[21hens-incharge]

For temporary nests cardboard boxes like from Costco or Sam's work really well. I get the ones that are open top and cut out side so IF tipped the hen is not trapped.

A used cat box says gross to me.

 

[Darmamommy]

Do you think I could still use the litter box as a nesting box as long as I give it a good clean and pick up some pine shavings?

Um. I don't see why not if you bleach it. I personally can't stand pine shavings because they don't decompose very well and don't go well in the gardens. I like using hay because it composts really well and is great in the gardens.
What's your set up that you don't already have the nesting boxes you need? Were you thinking of lining it with the kitty litter tray? Just curious.

 

[aart]

Do you think a shelter would take a used litter box?

Call and ask