hen laying eggs, breaking one end on coop floor

[Michael's Coop]

my hen made herself a little nest and when she lays, the egg smacks the floor of the nest box and cracks. it's causing ants. how can i fix this safely? maybe i can tack a cloth or a towel in there? any advice is appreciated!

 

[CCUK]

Put more bedding in the nest box. I put a couple of inches of shavings in then some straw on top. Also if your nest boxes don't have a front on put one on about 4-6 inches high. This should stop eggs rolling out or breaking on the floor.

 

[CCUK]

Forgot to say, before you pit bedding in, put some permethrin powder on the bottom of the nest box. This should kill any red mites and lice and should help get rid of the ants.

 

[Baby_the_duckling]

You can put a towel, but I prefer pine shavings, put a couple inches in there and make sure to clean out the cracked egg so that the bacteria doesn't spread over to the other eggs.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I use a folded feed bag as a nest liner, for padding, and then wood shavings over that that the hens can kick around and arrange to their liking.

 

[alexa009]

Yes, definitely put more hay or pine shavings in their nesting box. If they are kicking it out then as rosemarythyme said, a feed bag should work well.

 

[Michael's Coop]

thanks for all your help everyone! i'm gonna tack an old towel in it and then line that with shavings.