Nesting Materials

[Hazeldazel]

My hens are always kicking out the nesting material from the nest boxes. Any suggestions on which materials to use? I've been using straw. Also, I've read that cloth covers 2/3 of the way over the opening are a good idea. Any suggestions on what kind of cloth to use?

 

[wolftracks]

I don't use cloth, but the one thing I bought that I can't live without with my chickens is a paper shredder.

I shed everything and since the paper is biodegradable if it gets knocked out it composts.

I do add hay to the paper lately, but they knock that out more than anything. I trying wood chips and other things, but the paper works. Costs me nothing really if you think about it and I even have someone who gives me their newspapers when they're done, so I have an endless supply. And a few pieces of paper makes a lot of shredded paper.

As for the cloth I would use some cheap canvas even maybe a piece of a feed bag. Leave it in one piece or cut it to shred it so they'll be able to get inside easily.

See how much I like shredding? LOL

 

[Hazeldazel]

I was curious about shredded paper, thanks for the tip!

 

[wolftracks]

I know a lot of others use it also. Just saves on cost and waste for me.

I forgot to mention that I also line the boxes with rubber shelf liner to keep eggs from cracking.

 

[stilldeb]

I use pine shavings - whatever they kick out of the boxes ends up on the floor of the coop and gets composted in with everything else. I never use straw - live in a farming area and seen all the poison they dump on that stuff when it grows in the fields and don't want it anywhere near my chooks.

deb g

 

[kla37]

Quote:
Good point, never thought about that!

 

[Muscovies]

I use hay in my nest boxes

 

[Jferlisi]

I used hay in my boxes, and about the poison thing if a horse can eat it and be fine a chicken should be able to lay in it. I am going to try shavings just because i want to try and see what works best, and also since they dig through the hay to find leaves.

 

[BWKatz]

I use pine straw. Free for me , smells good, chickens can dig thru it and composts easily.

 

[knjinnm]

Switch your nest box fronts to round holes just big enough for your hens to hop in. Hens love to think they are hiding when they lay their eggs. They get in and settle down quicker, any scratching will be contained in the box.

Joe