Please don't tell me to "do a search" because I have!

[redhen]

Do a search...do a search..do a search...do a search....

 

[ducks4you]

You gave them a toy, "the straw," and then you're upset when the birds play with it. How can you take the joy out of their meager lives?!?!?!? TOO HARSH!!!!!!

 

[Big Chicken Little]

They are birds ...so you are going to figure them out.... you will be searching for ever. Put straw or chips in they throw it out put some more...but put in fake eggs so they get the idea. This process takes time. I build my dog a nice open dog shed ...it is raining like mad and he is laying on the ground all wet ...and you want a chicken to do what?

 

[usschicago1]

btw i use shavings.

 

[redhen]

ooh..to answer your question..i use both..

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

I use pine shavings and most of them leave it alone, but one still tries to empty the nest box so in the one she uses I put down piece of hard foam from the kids old floor mats cut to the size of the box and she cannot get it out, and the eggs land softly.

 

[DODALDO]

I had the same problem, when I built the nesting boxes, I used a 1x4 board, for the front lip, then they kicked all the straw out, so I put a 1 x 2 board
on top of the 1x4 this making the hole 2in smaller, and havn't had a problem yet. No I didn't have to do a search it was trial and error

 

[onthespot]

I haven't tried this, because have perfectly behaved hens that never waste a single bit of hay, and carefully make their bed after they leave the nestbox, BUT, what if you cut a hunk of wire mesh to lay on top of the straw so they get used to seeing and smelling it there, but would have to work really really hard to get any of it out, and then take it out after a few weeks, or add a bit of hay on top the wire to test them first? Sooner or later they get used to it, but then never quit messing with it. Even "good" hens will scratch around, move it here and there with their beaks, place bits on their backs, bending it and breaking it down as they go. If you don't replace it they will turn it into strawdust finer than wood shavings over time. Me, I'd just throw out a ton of it and let them be bored of it. Also, maybe hang a curtain to make it dark in the nest box and less fun to play there.

 

[toletiquesbysam]

Mine did the same thing with the straw, so I waited a bit longer and reloaded the straw when their were beginning to show more of the "signs" of laying. And now all is well!!!

 

[Chris623]

Yes, I really did do a search. I wasn't trying to find out whether or not to use straw..................just how to convince the girls that's what they wanted to lay in! Oh well, I guess they are just chickens and will do whatever they want.............in spite of my directions.

I'll keep making pretty little rounded nests and keep on cleaning out the straw from the coop. I have a friend up the road who bought her chicks about 8 weeks before I did, and she started getting eggs (though just pullet eggs) at 16 weeks. I was just trying to be prepared for the inevitable.!