Eggs breaking

[JGRIFF]

Hello everyone I was wondering what would be the best thing to use as padding in my nesting boxes? The chickens scratch all the straw I've been using out over the top of a 5" wall. So I've got to do something different. It needs to be something that they won't peck at and eat that would harm them. I'm leaning towards AstroTurf or exercise matt. Any suggestions on what to use?

 

[sourland]

Any chance that you could add a couple of inches to the lip on the nest box? Grass hay has always been my favorite as a nesting material. It is fragrant and readily molds into a bowl shaped nest.

 

[drumstick diva]

Some folks like to use sand in the nesting boxes (and coop), It would be hard for hens to push that over the sides of the nest, and it would be some form of cushion for the eggs. If you hens are deliberately breaking eggs(maybe eating them too)it would be best to use "roll away" nest boxes. You can find info on them by putting in the search box. They can be made or purchased. Once laid, the egg rolls out of view so the hens won't tamper with it.

 

[Cynthia12]

I used to have the same problem. They would make that little circle and the eggs would hit the wood and crack. We put some carpet in the bottom of the next boxes..nailed them in. Works great. Don't use shag..just a tight thread carpet piece.

 

[sunflour]

so glad you have joined us.

I have sand in the nests and have never had a broken egg even when they all decide to lay their eggs in the same nest. Easy to sift to clean and just add more sand as needed.

I had tried shavings, shredded paper and they ate those. Bought the plastic nests cushions - look like the grass door mats - but they are very stiff and scratchy and trashed them out after only one day. Unless a carpet or astroturf has bound edges, they likely will peck and pull and of course eat the threads.

 

[Cynthia12]

I think sand works great in some areas, I tried here, just too dry. They would kick it up and it cause way too much dust for them to breath in. I think it works great in humid areas from what I've been reading.
This carpet I've had down has been in there for yrs. Hasn't come up yet, and it has been kept clean..by me.. Tried sand on the coop floor too, oh my, found myself cleaning it out real quick. I used the kind that was suggested in all of the threads. So JG, not sure where you are from, if it's humid in your area I would try the sand. I wish I could! :/

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[JGRIFF]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. The chickens aren't eating the eggs so I think I will just try the sand first since I live in the south. It's very humid here. If that creates a problem I'll try the carpet. I was going to start using sand in my coop as well but wanted to get rid of the straw first. So I'll clean it all out and sand the whole coop and nest boxes. Thanks again everyone.

 

[cookielove45]

welcome! I just got chickens and had to read a lot before putting them in the coop. I used construction sand. the kind where its doesn't clump or make a dusty mess. works great! easy to clean and doesn't smell!