Pullets kicking nest bedding around

[Krux5506]

I have 5 laying hens who seem to like the straw I use in their boxes. When laying, I've seen then pick up clumps of straw and just throw it over their backs for whatever reason. But it's fine enough they can easily form their butts into it when laying.

Now I have younger hens I've introduced to that flock last week. The young ones aren't laying, but they seem to love to get into the nest boxes and kick this stuff all over the place into the rest of the coop, to the point where now I may get nest pads because I'm having eggs crack either from being laid onto the box floor with lack of straw or because the chicks are kicking the eggs around with the straw. Any ideas what to do about it? As of now I just keep adding straw to the boxes and figuring they'll get over it soon, but I don't know.

 

[chickenlover8969]

Do you know the age of your hens.

 

[Chicalina]

The young ones don't understand that the nest boxes are for nesting yet. When they come into lay, they will.

I would either exclude them for now, but if that isn't possible then either put a lip around so they can't chuck it out, or use mats. Even old towels will do if you don't want to buy anything new.

They will grow out of it!

 

[Chicalina]

Adding: you say hens but I read young pullets who haven't come into lay yet. Is that right?

 

[chickenlover8969]

If they are still young there probably curios of what the straw is and probably grow out of it.

 

[Krux5506]

Do you know the age of your hens.

older ones are 28ish weeks, all laying.

Younger ones causing the issues are about 17 weeks.

 

[chickenlover8969]

Adding: you say hens but I read young pullets who haven't come into lay yet. Is that right?

Probably just forgot to say pullets.

 

[chickenlover8969]

older ones are 28ish weeks, all laying.

Younger ones causing the issues are about 17 weeks.

Yah there are still pullets. There probably exploring and when they get a little older they will stop.

 

[Chicalina]

older ones are 28ish weeks, all laying.

Younger ones causing the issues are about 17 weeks.

Ok, as I thought. They will mature and stop eventually!

 

[Krux5506]

Yah there are still pullets. There probably exploring and when they get a little older they will stop.

Sorry, I'm using improper terminology. But yes, all pullets.