leading up to egg laying

[Dayrel]

Thanks for the reply, @Fanci Feathers Marans. I currently have pine shavings in the main coop and straw in the nesting boxes.

I was kinda hoping they would figure this out on their own, like going into the coop at night before the automatic door closed, but nest boxes might be more of a challenge.

 

[chickenlickin8]

For me, I start my girls on Organic Layer at 20 weeks. I put straw in my nestboxes and a white ceramic egg in each box. They always lay in the box. I rotate my flock every 2 years to maintain high egg production. Good luck!

 

[getaclue]

I use hay, not straw in my nest boxes. Straw is hollow, and can harbor more mites. I like the smell of good hay too.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

I use hay, not straw in my nest boxes. Straw is hollow, and can harbor more mites. I like the smell of good hay too.

Grass hay is softer, too.

 

[chickenlickin8]

That's great. We all do things differently. In 10 yrs, I have never had a problem with mites as my coop is very clean and I clean out the boxes regularly and use an organic all natural pesticide. My OCD about being clean carrys over to my chickens. Happy Chicken Keeping!

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have one hen that fits this description exactly and is two weeks older than the other two. I just opened up two nest boxes with straw and ceramic eggs two days ago. Nothing happened the first day, but on the second, one or more decided to scratch around in the straw and pushed most of it out into the main coop. Will they figure out to leave it alone on their own or should I try something to correct this?

Yeah. POL pullets do scratch out nest material. After awhile they will learn how to make a depression in the center. .That is what they are trying to do. Make sure you have a 4 inch lip at the bottom of nest box. That will help to hold it in long-term. But point of lay pullets will still kick it out. Just keep replacing till things calm down.
I've used compacted straw for nest boxes and coop floor, for over a year. I change coop bedding weekly and nest material monthly, replaced immediately if it gets soiled from a broken egg or watery poop. GC

 

[tav1]

someone said squatting.....my old birds did that and wondered why.
but these young one are still skiddish....no squatting but coming around to me aliitle more.

 

[lazy gardener]

My pullets start on layer any time after they get their cluck. I've found that coarser hay stays in the nest box better than finer hay. As for any material harboring mites: If you have mites move into your coop, it won't matter whether you use hay, straw, shavings, leaves, or any other product. Mites will take up residence in any of these bedding materials, and will hide out in all nooks and crannies of the coop, with or without bedding. IMO, the thought that straw is a mite issue is an old wives tale.