Nesting material

[KnitswithChickens]

I have thick pine shavings in my nesting box and the one girl who is laying will scoop it all to the side until just bare wood is showing and lay her egg there. I'm afraid the eggs will get broken. Am I being over anxious or should I put something under the pine shavings for added cushioning?

 

[the simple life]

My hens do that same thing. Sometimes they do crack an egg from laying on the wood but more often it ends up fine.
You could try the nesting pads. I was thinking of ordering these myself.
http://www.eggcartons.com/category-exec/category_id/128/nm/Nest_Pads_and_Bedding

 

[Happy Chooks]

You could put a piece of cardboard or linoleum on the bottom.

I wouldn't put anything like foam, cuz the chickens will eat it.

 

[Danigirl3]

I posted this same thing just a few days ago. I put hay in mine and they keep getting in and kicking it all out. I put it back and they kick it out. It's a vicious cycle and I end up with cracked eggs. Uggggg.

 

[bantiesrule]

I think I read somewhere about somebody using rubber shelf liners. I haven't tried it myself yet but they should be real easy to clean. Maybe put straw or sawdust on top of them?

 

[NellaBean]

I had this problem and was getting a cracked egg every day from the same chicken. I added a piece of cardboard under the shavings.....now even if they move the shavings out of the way, the cardboard has enough "give" to keep the egg from breaking.

 

[allison finch]

I use hay and form a "nest" in it. They seem to like it.

 

[fshinggrl]

I have hay, but more times than not the bare wood shows because of their 'nesting.' I have only had one cracked egg so far. It's gotten better.

 

[gardenergirl]

I was thinking of using the round liners for hanging baskets. Would that work?

 

[KnitswithChickens]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to try the cardboard first and see how that goes. You guys are the greatest!