Nest box cushioning?

[debakadeb]

I use a LOT of straw because my girls kick all the shavings out of the box.

 

[sundance]

I use hay, and when I clean the coop I also clean the nests and replace all the hay, marrie

 

[Davaroo]

Use whatever nest litter is at hand and which is soft, absorbent, clean, non-toxic... and hopefully cheap!

Things that have been used over the years are straw, fine leaves or leaves chopped fine, moss, lichens, shredded paper, pine shavings... well, you get the idea. I use pine straw and raked up leaves.

But as important as what, is how.

Make sure each nest has a 4" high front board so the littler wont be kicked out - hens dont have much respect in that regard.

Make the bottom of the nest from poultry netting and line the nest with paper. Then add 2-4" of the litter, and leave a bowl shaped center. The wire mesh discourages mites and lice and when its time to clean out the nest, just lift the paper and litter as one.

 

[crazyhen]

I use the milk crates too but I put plywood strips around them. then I added some foam to the bottom and then the wood shavings. Nice and warm and cozy. Gloria jean

 

[CityChook]

I just use pine shavings, same stuff as the flooring. If/when it starts to get cruddy (which only happened once in the past year) I just sweep it onto the floor and refill. Easy.