Pulling out nesting material

[Tiranni]

I have some new layers that seem to enjoy laying on a hard surface. We have nice nesting boxes with cozy nesting material. The hens keep pulling out all the material and laying on the hard bottom. Luckily, we haven't had any broken eggs yet, but I figure it's just a matter of time.

We are considering that pre-made nesting material, as I think they would have trouble pulling that out.

Has anyone experienced this before, and if so how did you remedy it? Does the pre-made nesting material help? Any recommendations on type or brand?

Thank you!
Carissa

 

[DobieLover]

I have some new layers that seem to enjoy laying on a hard surface. We have nice nesting boxes with cozy nesting material. The hens keep pulling out all the material and laying on the hard bottom. Luckily, we haven't had any broken eggs yet, but I figure it's just a matter of time.

We are considering that pre-made nesting material, as I think they would have trouble pulling that out.

Has anyone experienced this before, and if so how did you remedy it? Does the pre-made nesting material help? Any recommendations on type or brand?

Thank you!
Carissa

Is there a lip at the front of the nest boxes? New layers like to get into the boxes and dig around and form a nest. If there is no lip to hold back the material, it will be flung out of the box.

 

[ValerieJ]

My hens do that all the time, but I don't get broken eggs from it. I have heard putting in dirt first and then nesting material might help. They like to sort of made a little bed out of it.

 

[Tiranni]

Is there a lip at the front of the nest boxes? New layers like to get into the boxes and dig around and form a nest. If there is no lip to hold back the material, it will be flung out of the box.

There is a lip on them. I even sat in their coop this morning to see what was happening, and watched one of the hens go up to it and pull it out while she was outside of the box. It looked like she was cleaning up her "messy" nesting box. She than proceeded to climb up and lay an egg. Little stinker.

 

[DobieLover]

There is a lip on them. I even sat in their coop this morning to see what was happening, and watched one of the hens go up to it and pull it out while she was outside of the box. It looked like she was cleaning up her "messy" nesting box. She than proceeded to climb up and lay an egg. Little stinker.

What are you using for nesting material?

 

[Tiranni]

What are you using for nesting material?

We have a layer of newspaper on the bottom, with straw on top.

 

[ValerieJ]

There is a lip on them. I even sat in their coop this morning to see what was happening, and watched one of the hens go up to it and pull it out while she was outside of the box. It looked like she was cleaning up her "messy" nesting box. She than proceeded to climb up and lay an egg. Little stinker.

That's so funny. I can read her mind, "again?! Every time I come in to lay an egg, someone has put a bunch of %!&@!! in my nest!"

 

[chrissynemetz]

I have several girls who do that. I'm constantly replacing the nesting material. I haven't tried the pre-made nesting material yet, but I'm thinking I'll give it a try. Chickens are so entertaining lol

 

[Duckfarmer1]

We use wood shavings with straw...they dig around too, but it seems to make a nice little nest. I even have rocks in ours because I had an egg eater, and the bedding was fine. Perhaps it’s just them getting used to it and being excited!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Take your empty feed bags and fold them to fit snugly in the nest box, then put bedding of your choice on top. It's easy free nest padding that can just be tossed if it gets too soiled.