Nest box pads

[FC16]

Will chickens actually lay on these as they look rather uncomfortable, I’m thinking of ordering some as I’m struggling to keep on top of changing the bedding regularly in the coop. Has anyone got any experience with these?

 

[aart]

Many use them.
They might not like them at first, but covering them with the usual nest bedding will help them acclimate.

I’m struggling to keep on top of changing the bedding regularly in the coop.

The bedding in the coop or the bedding in the nests?

 

[FC16]

The bedding in the coop or the bedding in the nests?

The bedding in the nesting boxes

 

[aart]

The bedding in the nesting boxes

Why trouble "keeping up with it"?
Is it getting pooped on from birds sleeping in the nests at night?

 

[FC16]

Why trouble "keeping up with it"?
Is it getting pooped on from birds sleeping in the nests at night?

Yeah they sleep in them, I’ve tried everything to stop them from sleeping in them but they won’t stop. I don’t mind them sleeping in there if I could keep on top of the mess

 

[aart]

Yeah they sleep in them, I’ve tried everything to stop them from sleeping in them but they won’t stop. I don’t mind them sleeping in there if I could keep on top of the mess

To me that would be unacceptable.
Cleaning the pads might be just as much trouble as changing out bedding.
Do you still use this tiny coop?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/elevating-chicken-coop.1491273/

 

[FC16]

To me that would be unacceptable.
Cleaning the pads might be just as much trouble as changing out bedding.
Do you still use this tiny coop?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/elevating-chicken-coop.1491273/

Unfortunately yes the building of my new coop got delayed but will definitely be happening this year. They all fit in fine still and seem happy as they have so much space in the day but the poop is a real issue, it’s very hard to clean.
I’ve put some photos in below ( the photos are of the coop before I cleaned it today ) The other side is caged off at the moment as 3 baby Silkie chicks sleep in there at night. And the hens don’t really need that side as there is still a lot of room:
I’ve thought about maybe finding away to raise the roosts as there’s quite a high roof so even if they could go up a little bit it might encourage the hens to get out of the box

 

[neo71665]

I use cheap door mats from the dollar tree. I cut one up and have enough for 2 nest boxes.

My birds don't sleep in my boxes tho. Frankly I would be more worried about fixing that issue.

 

[CanadaEh]

Unfortunately yes the building of my new coop got delayed but will definitely be happening this year. They all fit in fine still and seem happy as they have so much space in the day but the poop is a real issue, it’s very hard to clean.
I’ve put some photos in below ( the photos are of the coop before I cleaned it today ) The other side is caged off at the moment as 3 baby Silkie chicks sleep in there at night. And the hens don’t really need that side as there is still a lot of room:
I’ve thought about maybe finding away to raise the roosts as there’s quite a high roof so even if they could go up a little bit it might encourage the hens to get out of the box

I would raise both roosts and nesting boxes (while making roosts higher than nesting boxes), so they would have more floor space to walk on

 

[Boise-girls]

Definitely raise the roosts if possible. They'll be more likely to use them if the roosts are noticeably higher than the boxes, and will keep the hens cleaner, too.