Pine needles for nesting box

[flrn]

I was wondering if you could use pine needles that were clean for nesting box material? I can purchase it in small bales.

 

[FolkSonginC]

I was wondering if you could use pine needles that were clean for nesting box material? I can purchase it in small bales.

that's interesting, I didn't know you could buy bales of pine needles. I don't see why you couldn't use them. I live in the woods and my chickens make nests out of pine needles all the time

 

[pibb]

Yes you can use them for nests. I use them right out from below our pine trees. Don't you have any pine trees or know someone with pine trees? It's free that way.

 

[GreggKznSA]

Interesting question but cannot think of why not. Another thing pops to mind. Would the smell and oils of Pine Needles not act as a deterrent for Mites and Lice therefore making it a wonderful nesting material?

 

[imnukensc]

I use pine needles, leaves, and pine shavings in my nest boxes. No reason you can't use just pine needles. Pine needles are essentially dead like leaves from a tree in the fall. No smell/no oils.

 

[neo71665]

Growing up its all my Great grandmas and grandmas used for nesting. It was free and in the front yard so they didn't even have to go far for it.

 

[Mtnboomer]

I use pine needles aka "pine straw" when there is enough in my yard. About twice a year i rake it up for the coop. Works great plus it comes with little snacks for the birds crawling in the litter.