next question tonight... nesting material...

[warhorse]

What do you use for nest material?

I have used sand, hay, straw, pine shavings, sawdust, and most recently pine pellets. The hens seemed to like the hay as they would pick at it while they sat but it didn't seem to stay put at the bottom very well for padding. The sand and sawdust seemed to pad well but didn't last very long, along with the pine shavings. I have had pine PELLETS in the nests all winter and they seem to stay put fairly well keep the eggs clean and provide enough padding.

I was thinking later I might set up a grouping of nestboxes with the different materials to see if the hens had a preference and acutally compare side to side how each one does.

Does anyone else have anything else to suggest for nesting materials?

* edited to correct pine shavings to pine pellets.

 

[debakadeb]

I use straw. That is the only thing I have successfully managed to keep in the next boxes. I put lots in to allow for them kicking out some. They kick out ALL the pine shavings.

 

[Big C]

Our flock is not at that stage yet but we have access to large round bales of last years Sudan or Coastal hay at $25.00 per round bale.
There is a lot of large stalkes in the Sudan but I have a wood chipper that I've used as an experiment to see if it would work. Looks good so far when I combine the 2 together. As an added bonus there are numerous seeds, etc. There is a local farmer here we purchase from who grows his hay natural/organic.
Next week our started pullets from McMurray arrive and we'll see if this combo will work. By volume last years unsold hay is cheaper.

 

[azelgin]

I use straw. I just made the nest deep enough, with a front "dam", that keeps most of the staw confined. I still have one banty that insists on laying her eggs in the trash can we throw the hay ropes in.

 

[zigzag3337]

I use pine shavings in their nesting boxes. However, I read somewhere on here to put a piece of scrap carpet in the bottom of the nesting boxes and then add the shavings. This will prevent egg breakage and thus far I haven't had a problem. The shavings get built up around the edges but the carpet is still there.

 

[Imp]

Shredded Newspaper.

Imp

 

[onthespot]

I use bermuda hay, just because that is what I feed my filly, so it is always handy.

 

[hungryhensfarm]

I believe I will start using straw or hay as well. My girls kick out all of the pine shavings too.

 

[warhorse]

Quote:
hmmm.... maybe I could consider her suggestion, too.

Always plenty of haystring around; I might just add that to my list of nesting materials trial.

 

[gritsar]

I use hay, cheap and plentiful around here. I pack it in good and rarely does any of it get kicked out.