Nesting Material and Roll Away Boxes

[Jkbaca]

Hello!

I am thinking of switching to roll away boxes because I have an egg eater who I don't want to rehome. So I'm considering roll away boxes. I was going to build my own, but I have an opportunity to get some nice roll away boxes by trading with another local farmer.

So can I put any nesting material in there? The guy who I might be getting them from says he doesn't use anything, but I know my hens are finicky. I've tried those gray plastic ones and they wouldn't use those. I used the fake grass ones, and they were ok but they prefer stuff they can actually hunker down in.

Wondering if anyone has anything they use and like or if I can figure out how to fashion something to work without making so the eggs don't roll away.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I haven’t found a way around this, myself. I start with the plastic pad and a bit of shavings for them to nest with. Gradually reduce the shavings over a few weeks till they’re using the bare pad.

 

[Jkbaca]

I haven’t found a way around this, myself. I start with the plastic pad and a bit of shavings for them to nest with. Gradually reduce the shavings over a few weeks till they’re using the bare pad.

That's a great approach! I may give that a whirl. Thanks for the idea!

The eggs don't crack when they roll into the tray?

 

[thecatumbrella]

That's a great approach! I may give that a whirl. Thanks for the idea!

The eggs don't crack when they roll into the tray?

I’ve seen people put extra padding in the tray to prevent accidents. Even something simple, like a piece of foam pipe insulation, could act as a bumper (assuming you have enough room).