Nesting box question, new coop pics

[Chicken Nugget]

We just finished our new coop. We didn't want to mix the new babies with the big hens, so we split the hen house down the middle for them and made a run out of each side. Hubby did this entire thing with no plans - he just makes it up as he goes along! (I painted and ending up "holding" a lot of stuff in place as he worked on it, lol) The cord is just for a heat lamp until the babies get a little older.

I did have a question about our nesting boxes. Even though there is a lip on the boxes, the hens get up there and scratch all the litter out before they lay an egg. They drop the egg on the hard floor and it cracks. How can I keep the litter (pine shavings) in? Or would straw work better?

 

[Matt A NC]

From the looks of it the lip is not high enough. All my nests have at least a 3 inch high lip. However, I do use hay. Shavings are easier for the hen(s) to fing out.

Matt

 

[wefanjr]

I use pine shavings and straw. They still push it out and drop thier eggs on the wood, occasionally cracking them. Maybe a deeper bed of straw with a higher lip across the front would work better.

 

[ella]

I agree deeper bedding and a higher lip.

Also

Gorgeous coop, I love it!

 

[chickenranchwife]

Nice looking coop! You guys did a great job. I agree with the rest, higher lip, I use a 1 x 4, and I also use straw. It seems to add more cushion to the nest boxes.

 

[Chicken Nugget]

Thanks, we'll try both of those suggestions. We're going to put a bigger lip on the boxes and I'm going to see if I can buy a bale of hay somewhere. I wonder if it is more or less expensive than pine shavings?

 

[@migocontodos~]

The bigger the lip the better...and honestly all the hen wants in her entrance is just enough space to crawl in and out.

I'd add a little perch in front of the nest box for the gals to land on and use for a walking pad.
They also use it a lot when after the lay when they stand there and sing to the world, I JUST LAID AN EGG!

NICE COOP!

 

[hdchic]

I have family in NC, on the coast, and they are telling me straw bales are around $5 each. I get mine for free, as my in-laws are farmers and have plenty to spare...lol. I LOVE your coop!! Your hubby is like mine...he'll stand there and look at it for a few minutes, then get to work. I hold things when asked, and really don't know what he is thinking til its done....its great!

 

[stilwellchick]

Love your coop, tell DH he is very talented! I agree with higher lip on boxes. I use timothy hay in mine. It smells like fresh cut grass and packs into a perfect bowl shaped nest better than straw. You can buy a small bag in the hamster/rabbit supply section of Walmart. It is packed into the bag and will fill 6 nest boxes. Just put it in and they will arrange it into a perfect round nest.

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

Very nice coop....
I dont' have much advise on the line of nest boxes, but could you put a rubber mat/no slip grip stuff that you put on the shelves. That might help cushion the eggs when they lay them. I know our birds kick out the bedding at times, but with the matting under the bedding it kinds helps.

Our birds kick out the bedding and somehow move it into the boxes they want to use sometimes.

Some of our boxes have the slip grip matting. I don't notice a real difference when it comes to what box they use. Both one with it and ones without it get used....

Just an idea I guess.

Again...The coop is very nice.....
Wonderful job...
Shawna