Hens keep emptying the nesting boxes.

[HoosierEd]

Help! My new hens keep emptying all of the straw from the nesting boxes. They do it within a few hours after I fill with new material. Then I end up with broken eggs, and a few times I caught them eating the broken eggs. Has anyone else had this problem? If so what was your solution.

 

[Sussex19]

How old are your hens?
Could you put some foam or something in the bottom, so even if the other bedding gets kicked out, the eggs still have protection?
Maybe try fine grass hay instead of straw?
I know how tiresome it is!

 

[3KillerBs]

How old are they? I find that new layers are very prone to kick the bedding out of the nests.

How deep a lip do you have on the nest boxes? Can you raise it another 2-4 inches?

 

[Yardmom]

Do you have a lip (short side)on the nests?

 

[My Three Chicks]

My hens will kick a little out. You can try nest box pads like these. I use these and place straw on top for extra softness. You don't need to add anything on top though.

Cackle Hatchery Laying Hen Nest Box Pads - 13" x 13" (6 Pack) https://a.co/d/gjIScJz

 

[aart]

How old are they? I find that new layers are very prone to kick the bedding out of the nests.

How deep a lip do you have on the nest boxes? Can you raise it another 2-4 inches?

Important questions^^^.
Pics of nests would help too @Esomersmith .

 

[HoosierEd]

Important questions^^^.
Pics of nests would help too @Esomersmith .

They are just starting to lay. The nesting trays are about 2” deep.

 

[aart]

They are just starting to lay. The nesting trays are about 2” deep.

Typical new layer behavior, they should stop within a couple-few weeks.
2" is pretty shallow, best to have 4-6" above bedding at entrance area.
Got pics?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Agree that a higher lip in front helps, but for me the difference maker is adding additional padding at bottom of the nest, so even if the hens push nesting material around there's always cushion on bottom.

My free nest pads are empty feed bags with a sheet or two of bubble wrap inside, folded and snugly shoved into the bottom of the nest box (see middle box):

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Agree that a higher lip in front helps, but for me the difference maker is adding additional padding at bottom of the nest, so even if the hens push nesting material around there's always cushion on bottom.

My free nest pads are empty feed bags with a sheet or two of bubble wrap inside, folded and snugly shoved into the bottom of the nest box (see middle box):

View attachment 3438527

So smart!