I think we are close....

[kingchickies]

Hi everyone! I have a few of my girls that are getting close to laying! One has been squatting for 2 weeks and the last 2 days someone has been messing around in the nesting boxes! My concern is.. is it normal for them to be messing around in the boxes without laying? And.. they are kicking all the shavings out when they do. I have put shavings back in them twice today already. Thanks for any info!

 

[rIrs roost]

Hi everyone! I have a few of my girls that are getting close to laying! One has been squatting for 2 weeks and the last 2 days someone has been messing around in the nesting boxes! My concern is.. is it normal for them to be messing around in the boxes without laying? And.. they are kicking all the shavings out when they do. I have put shavings back in them twice today already. Thanks for any info!

yes it's normal. They try to get comfy and they'll make a nest. Sometimes one of my hens just gets the urge to kick all the bedding out. I put a high lip on front to help but she still messes it up some times

 

[kingchickies]

yes it's normal. They try to get comfy and they'll make a nest. Sometimes one of my hens just gets the urge to kick all the bedding out. I put a high lip on front to help but she still messes it up some times

Ok thanks. I appreciate it.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

yes it's normal. They try to get comfy and they'll make a nest. Sometimes one of my hens just gets the urge to kick all the bedding out. I put a high lip on front to help but she still messes it up some times

X2
Instinct drives them to investigate the nests before they actually "need" them. A good lip can preferring most bedding loss, though shavings trend to be particularly prone to easy flinging

 

[kingchickies]

X2
Instinct drives them to investigate the nests before they actually "need" them. A good lip can preferring most bedding loss, though shavings trend to be particularly prone to easy flinging

What is the preferred material for nesting boxes? I've seen a few types, and worried about using straw or hay. There are so many opinions on both. Don't want to cause crop impaction

 

[rIrs roost]

X2
Instinct drives them to investigate the nests before they actually "need" them. A good lip can preferring most bedding loss, though shavings trend to be particularly prone to easy flinging

How have you been mare? Been missing you at grannys.

 

[rIrs roost]

What is the preferred material for nesting boxes? I've seen a few types, and worried about using straw or hay. There are so many opinions on both. Don't want to cause crop impaction

I use 5 gallon buckets. But I've also made a few outta wood. The buckets for me anyways are easier to clean. As far as hay, I know that there's so many opinions but This is my 3rd year with chickens and I've had no trouble so far. Some say not to though.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

All I can offer is my own experience which is that in years of keeping hundreds of birds I have always used hay in my nests send not had a single incident of impacting

 

[kingchickies]

I use 5 gallon buckets. But I've also made a few outta wood. The buckets for me anyways are easier to clean. As far as hay, I know that there's so many opinions but This is my 3rd year with chickens and I've had no trouble so far. Some say not to though.

I have 5 gallon buckets too! So, you use hay and haven't had issues? Do they keep it in better?

 

[rIrs roost]

I have 5 gallon buckets too! So, you use hay and haven't had issues? Do they keep it in better?View attachment 1062884

As Mare has said, and she's had chickens a lot longer then me, Neither of us has had one problem with hay. The lips that I put up were higher then the ones in your pick though. They still kick some out but not a lot.