Hens push out all nest box bedding

[Manedwolfy]

So, my hens do NOT like hay/shavings in their nest boxes. They just push it all out instead of sitting on it and laying. Even with fake eggs in there, the push all that out to lay. This makes many cracked eggs. Is there anything different I can do or a way to make them deal with it??

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Mine sometimes with scratch out all the hay and shavings. Maybe try some outdoor fake grass carpeting? Line your nesting boxes with that. I have never done that but have seen others use it. Good luck!

 

[Manedwolfy]

Alright, thank you! I'll try that, I have some on hand.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

How old are your birds?
Newly laying birds will tear up the nests at first.

What do your nests look like(pics)?
I front lip on nests at least 4" high will help keep bedding and eggs form being kicked out.

 

[BrandonVercnocke]

I had the same issue. I went and bought the thickest and cheapest outdoor fake grass from Home Depot. Works great. The girls haven’t scratched it out of the boxes and no more cracked eggs

 

[Criticalicious]

I tried the fake grass at first but my birds were scared of it and refused to go in the nest boxes. That was when they first started laying so maybe they'll behave differently now. Went with pine shavings and they kick them out or flatten them, but then every week I pile them back up. They've shoved out the fake eggs now and again but haven't cracked the real ones.

 

[sharkerbaby]

You could try nesting pads. They're paper backed so they can't easily scratch the material out. I've been using them for approx 18 mo and have only used 4 maybe 5. My girls do tend to slowly pull off the material from the mat in the "only use in desparation" box and pile it into their favorite box so eventually that box is only a paper square with a few random tendrils stuck to it. At that point I put a new one in their preferred box and move the older pad to the backup nest box.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CAVMIK2/?tag=backy-20

 

[Manedwolfy]

I'm going to try the fake grass because I have some currently. If it doesn't work then I'll try a nesting pad.

All of my new layers are actually the ones that like hay. They are usually in another coop that is similar and are fine with it. It's the older ones that aren't big on the bedding.

 

[The Lazy L]

So, my hens do NOT like hay/shavings in their nest boxes. They just push it all out instead of sitting on it and laying. Even with fake eggs in there, the push all that out to lay. This makes many cracked eggs. Is there anything different I can do or a way to make them deal with it??

I had the same problems with all of my three flocks. I've tried nesting pads (they refused to lay on them). Building the entrance up higher help with Flocks #1 and #2. Flock #3 still push all the straw out. So I decided if that's what they want, that's what the get, bare nesting box floors.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

You need to but a board on the front of your nest that sticks up a couple inches to keep the bedding in. Your hens are most likely just scratching around, trying to get comfy, but if there's nothing to keep the bedding in, it just falls right out.