Nest box materials...

[AmyRey]

Yesterday, it seems that two of my girls magically developed red wattles. Yes, just yesterday. I swear they weren't there the night before.

Anyhow, I expect that their egglaying days are approaching quickly. I have two nest boxes for my four girls, which should be plenty. Initially, I had them filled with hay which they immediately raked some of the pine shavings into but after doing some housekeeping last week in the coop, I noticed that they hay was pretty buggy so I took it all out and put fresh pine shavings in instead, topped off with a golf ball in each.

Seems to me like they'd prefer hay, since it's more "nestlike" but if it's just going to get all buggy, then I'll have to do something else.

Will they like the pine shavings? Or should I try some other alternative? Shredded newspaper? Grass clippings? Pine straw?

 

[Happy Chooks]

From what I've read here, pine shavings are fine. You definitely don't want bugs.

 

[Hillbilly Rooster]

I have only used Wheat straw and they toss it every where. I just put alot in the boxes and they make a small nest.

 

[Renee']

Sprinkle a little DE on the straw to discourage the bugs.

 

[Brindlebtch]

I put DE in the coop and nest boxes and the only bug I have seen in the coop is a wasp. Definitely use DE.

 

[AmyRey]

I've been unable to find DE locally, so I'd likely have to order. And with just my four girls, it'd take forever to use it up.

Is there another, more widely available option? Can Sevin be used sparingly in the nest boxes (safely) and deliver the same results?

 

[FlockMama]

I use straw and have no buggy problems.....