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).

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

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).

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.

Good Luck with everything!

 

[debid]

I started with a thick, fake grass mat but they kept scratching at it so it was too fluffy and the eggs wouldn't roll reliably. Swapped it out for plastic nest mats (the kind that look like a thousand spikes) and they didn't seem to care. They were completely distracted by the fine, new curtains I'd installed making the spaces darker and giving them flaps to peer out between.

I have a scrap piece of foam pipe insulation for a bumper, it just has to be out of reach because they will want to peck that as well if they can.