Hens scratching all the hay out of nest boxes. Any help?

[Warrior gamefowl]

Game hens. I normally cut a hole in a clean 5 gallon bucket for my single mating pens. Nearly all the hens scratch the hay out of the buckets. Anybody got any helpful experience or advice? I’ve raised these birds for probably 50 years and don’t remember it being this bad before the last couple seasons. These hens are on grass. Have good space normally one hen and a rooster. Occasionally I may have two sisters in one pen. Same results Any help would be appreciated

 

[Tonyroo]

I don't know if this will help but I used wood shavings mixed with straw, just out of necessity. But I noticed my chickens weren't able to move the bedding much, seems the shavings were locking the straw in place. I had difficulty sweeping it out to change it, so ended up using a rake with some force to change it out. Guess it creates a mat type surface. Just thought I'd share that experience.

 

[CayugaMama]

My OEGB hens did the same thing when I had them. It drove me crazy!

 

[Sycamore Hill Chicks]

Game hens. I normally cut a hole in a clean 5 gallon bucket for my single mating pens. Nearly all the hens scratch the hay out of the buckets. Anybody got any helpful experience or advice? I’ve raised these birds for probably 50 years and don’t remember it being this bad before the last couple seasons. These hens are on grass. Have good space normally one hen and a rooster. Occasionally I may have two sisters in one pen. Same results Any help would be appreciated

Add a board at the end of box

 

[Warrior gamefowl]

I’ve tried the wood chips and I cut the hole probably 6” from the bottom to contain the bedding. But thanks for the ideas but keep em coming!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Could you post a photo of your set-up, please? It might help us see something. Until I see what you are working with I'm just guessing.

 

[Mtnboomer]

I use a mix of wood chips and straw too. They always manage to get most out but there is still some inside to cushion the eggs.
Best thing i use and its might be unlikely you have access to it but is planer shavings as in a wood planer. Its not as fine as saw dust or anything like that but its smaller than wood chips. I save them from my workshop. Works great and they can't kick them out.

 

[Lovesumchicks]

That's weird I have the same problem as well with my game hens. They do not like laying in the buckets they will actually move the shavings out and lay in a corner. I have tried propping the bucket upwards on a wood platform it seemed to help for a few days but then she kicked the shavings out again. So I attempted to attach a piece of plywood to half the bucket so she couldn't get the shavings out but now she refuses to use the bucket so now I am at a loss on what to do. I wonder if the bucket is too cramped?

 

[Warrior gamefowl]

I’m still working on it but so far no luck. I’ll try to get a pic maybe somebody can spot the problem. I’ve raised these things since the 60s. Maybe someday I’ll figure them out.
Thanks for the ideas guys.

 

[theoldchick]

There is one thing I learned about game birds is that they always have a good reason for what they do. I'd try using a different kind of hay. I gave my FIL a few fescue bales for his hens. They tossed it out of the nest boxes so he tried what I think is wheat straw hay. It was flatter type of hay-broader leaves when the hens seem to like as they did not toss it out. Also, inspect your hay, make sure it's fresh, clean (no mold) and bug free.