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cleaning out nest boxes

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by lorain's fids, Mar 7, 2012.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Mar 7, 2012 #1
    lorain's fids

    lorain's fids Songster

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    Jul 9, 2011
    New Jersey
    I have 3 nest boxes for 5 chickens. I use pine shavings in them. I was wondering how often does everybody change the shavings or straw that they use in the nest boxes. The girls don't poop in them, so the shavings rarely get dirty. I have been cleaning them out about every 2 weeks, just to freshen them up.
     

  4. Mar 7, 2012 #2
    Ridgerunner

    Ridgerunner Free Ranging

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    Feb 2, 2009
    Southeast Louisiana
    About the only time I clean mine out is when a broody hatches in the nest, but I cleaned one once when an egg was broken in there. So lets say about every two to four years, maybe.
     
  6. Mar 7, 2012 #3
    Johnboy78

    Johnboy78 Chirping

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    May 16, 2011
    I've got two buckets for nesting along with the built in box in my coop.
    They must sleep in the coop one because they poop it up.
    The buckets have straw and shavings in them.
    In four months I haven't emptied them, just added straw as they
    pack down the stuff inside.
     
  8. Mar 7, 2012 #4
    Den in Penn

    Den in Penn Songster

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    Dec 15, 2011
    SE Pa.
    About twice a year when the whole place gets cleaned. Or if needed by the box; ie broken egg.
     
  10. Mar 7, 2012 #5
    Maggie C

    Maggie C Chirping

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    Jan 26, 2012
    Largo, FL

    I have the same thing you do - 3 boxes for 5 girls and I clean them out/freshen them up about every 2 weeks. It works for me and my girls are happy. Maybe not necessary to clean them so often but that's what I do.
     

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