eggs cracking in box

[acacia987]

my hens tend to kick out a lot of the bedding when dropping there eggs. Ever so often this results in a cracked egg. I was thinking of maybe lining the bottom of the nest with some type of cushion below the bedding. I do have a bar (1 in high) in front of the nesting box to prevent it from flying out. the nesting boxes are plywood.

 

[aart]

What kind of bedding are you using in the nests....I use flakes of straw that hold together pretty well.

Maybe put a higher front on the nest, like 4", so you can put more bedding in there?

You could put some kind of cushion in there, but then it might be a cleaning issue.
They do sell nest pads which are cleanable.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

My suggestions are to put rubber shelf liner in the bottom under the bedding, screw in broads across the bottom entrance to the nest so the bedding can't as easily be kicked out (see pic attached) and put lots of bedding in. (Straw and shavings work best in nests.)

 

[acacia987]

thanks for the advice, maybe i should of built bigger nesting boxes. i gave them 12x12x14H

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Yep, bigger nests can also help

 

[donrae]

I see that 12x12 quoted all the time--my girls like a bigger space, I guess. I use rubbermaid tubs that can fit 2 birds at a time and they prefer them over the smaller milk crates.

 

[Feedingfour]

My suggestions are to put rubber shelf liner in the bottom under the bedding, screw in broads across the bottom entrance to the nest so the bedding can't as easily be kicked out (see pic attached) and put lots of bedding in. (Straw and shavings work best in nests.)

I love your nest box decorations! I need to have my boys make up some for my girls

 

[Mountain Peeps]

I love your nest box decorations! I need to have my boys make up some for my girls

Thanks!! This is it decorated this year!

 

[Feedingfour]

Thanks!! This is it decorated this year!

I love it!!! I bet that helps them keep happy and keep laying thanks for sharing!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Yep they seem to like it and thanks!!