My girls don't like straw and a wattle question

[Concordmommy]

or they like it too much. They take it out of the next boxes and make a huge mess. Can I just use shavings and not deal with the straw?

Also, about how long after they get red wattles should I expect their first egg? They are 20-21 weeks now and some have large red wattles and combs but no eggs yet.

 

[bethandjoeync]

what breed(s) are they?

 

[kcfuerst]

How about trying shredded paper from your shredder, if you have one. My babes love it and it always stays neat and clean.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do you have something 4" to 6" high at the bottom of the nest opening to help keep the straw in?

I'll include a link that gives the signs of a hen laying. I know it is a culling site but I am not recommending you cull your hens. I'm sending it because it does a good job of telling you what to look for. The red wattles are an excellent sign.

Pigment Color – Signs of Laying
http://msucares.com/poultry/management/culling.html#id

 

[Concordmommy]

The bottom lip is about three or four inches. Problem is that it's sunk into the shavings so the lip is now only about one inch above the shavings. I think we may need to redesign. ugh.

They are one each of an astralorp, ameracauna, delaware, red sex-link, and cuckoo maran.

I dont have a shredder--I know I should get one though!!

I'll try to redesign the nestbox and try again....wish I didn't have to because DH did it and he's so proud of it! It doesn't fit on top of the shavings under the roost, so it'll have to be scrapped.

 

[boxermom]

Quote:
I use shredded paper along w/ pine shavings for the litter in my coop. They love the paper. I get bags of the shredded paper from my job. You could check into some businesses or hosp's, clinics etc. that shred alot of paper. I know our shredder could never keep up w/ what the chickens need.

 

[Concordmommy]

Do they eat the paper? Or are you saying they just mess it up and you have to replace it all the time?

I just added a 4-5inch lip to the bottom, plenty of room for them to get in, and I sanded the edge so it wouldn't hurt their tummies. They instantly got in there to check it out--cats have nothing on chickens for curiosity!!

 

[boxermom]

Quote:
No, they don't eat it. They like to snuggle down into it, especially after I've turned it. I'm doing the deep litter method.

 

[Concordmommy]

I guess I'm now just wondering how long it'll be until I see an egg if they're wattles are grown and red. Days? still weeks?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
My BO is 20 weeks old and has had a full red comb and full red wattles for a few weeks now, and still no eggs from her. (They are just as red and full as my sex link who is laying) And I've been searching everywhere to make sure she's not hiding them.