How to keep eggs from breaking in nesting box

[kriswrite]

Hi everyone,

My hens just started laying and I've had a few eggs break. My hens like to pull all the straw out of their nesting boxes, so I lined them with that rubbery, no-slide shelf paper stuff. They promptly pulled that out and dumped it in the coop. Any ideas for nesting box liners that my hens can't remove?

Kristina

 

[mamabigbird]

I don't know what your nest boxes are like, but mine have a 4 inch high board nailed to the front to help keep the bedding inside.
There is a wee gap of about an inch at the bottom of the nest box for sweeping it out.
I use pine shavings in the nest box because it stays put better.
I found my young pullets were rough housing at first and did get some breakage until they settled down and took their job more seriously.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

You could tape or velcro the shelf liner to the box. My pullets used to kick everthing from the box, but now that they are older they make nice, neat nests. I had to secure carpet to mine and then cover with shavings for the first few eggs. They would kick all of the shavings out but couldnt remove the carpet because I secured it with velcro.

 

[ECBW]

I place cut-to-fit corrugated cardboards as cushion. It is also easily replaced when worn or dirty.

 

[Mare]

I use the thick rubber padding that people use to stand on. At first I was getting some broken eggs and when I put this down it ended. On top of the rubber I still put bedding and they don't seem to mind at all and they haven't knocked it out.

 

[savingpurple]

Haven't had an egg break to the best of my knowledge. I have no padding, but they do move the shavings, and shredded paper into a nice nest also. Then they just drop it. Shells are hard, so they don't break. ?? I also have a 2 inch lip on mine to keep stuff inside.

 

[kriswrite]

I actually haven't followed any of your suggestions - yet. But the problem seems to have resolved itself. Maybe I had one hen who was curious and clumsy and is now over her wonderment

 

[cmom]

I used to use hay but the birds were getting the hay out of the nest boxes along with the eggs so I started using spanish moss off of our trees here and have had no problems since. I guess you just have to try different things and see what works for you.

 

[nerd0geekboyz]

My chickens also remove the shavings and hay.

I place paper packing material in the bottom of the nesting box, but square with the bottom, then placed the shavings and hay atop the paper packing material. They are unable to remove it.

Haha.. Ok, I was wrong. See picture of how they ripped through the paper packing material

 

[chickflick]

I've had some break every once in awhile. I use the foamy kids placemats in the nest boxes. Got a bunch on clearance after easter so everyone got a newly decorated nest box with pic of eater eggs on it. Before that, it was Dora and Sponge Bob.

It works great and you can wash them off once in awhile.