Eggs Cracking

[Trina0889]

My pullets are just starting to lay eggs and they are scratching most of the bedding out of their nesting boxes and so when they lay their eggs they are falling on straight wood and cracking. Any suggestions? Rubber mats? Straw pads? What are you using??? It's breaking my heart I've lost 2 of my 6 eggs...

 

[Pork Pie]

I use door-mats (cut to size) and soil

 

[Trina0889]

I use door-mats (cut to size) and soil

Good idea!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Put a lip on your boxes so they cant scratch it out. We just use pine shavings and have a 3 inch lip on the boxes. Works quite well

 

[lazy gardener]

Put a nice high lip on your boxes. (At least 4") My boxes are dish pans, and even then, they scratch the hay out. I prefer hay b/c it has better insulation value to keep those winter eggs from freezing. I fill the boxes right to the top with hay, and have to top it off every few weeks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

For a freebie, try folded up feed bags. I have a lip on my nest boxes but the chickens still like to rearrange the bedding. The feed bag doesn't slide around and provides some cushion.

 

[BirdGirl2004]

I have a 4 inch lip on my nesting boxes, to ensure that they cannot scratch all the straw out. I realize that they still can scratch it all away, and shove it to the sides. It always breaks my heart a little bit every time an egg breaks! I bought a murray mcmurray turf nest pad, and it fits in the bottom of my nest boxes. This way nothing breaks! Hope this helps!! Good luck!

Heres a pic:

you can find them at:

https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/turf_nest_padsq.html

 

[Trina0889]

I have a 4 inch lip on my nesting boxes, to ensure that they cannot scratch all the straw out. I realize that they still can scratch it all away, and shove it to the sides. It always breaks my heart a little bit every time an egg breaks! I bought a murray mcmurray turf nest pad, and it fits in the bottom of my nest boxes. This way nothing breaks! Hope this helps!! Good luck!

Heres a pic:

View attachment 1470960

you can find them at:

https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/turf_nest_padsq.html

We got something similar to these today to put in them!!

 

[Cindy in PA]

I just started using the fake grass pads a few months ago. Only problem is when a broody sits in one constantly, even with no eggs they start to smell! I have had eggs crack that were thin shelled & then I hose them off and soap them up with Ivory dish soap. They still have a slight smell! The birds seem to like them.