Sand in the Nestbox

[Farmgirl1878]

Good morning all! Today is day 18 for Goldie, who is sitting on nine eggs. My whole coop and run are sand, including the nestboxes. Should I put a towel under her and the eggs today? Not sure how warm a welcome to the world it might be to pop out of an egg all wet and right into sand!

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Yes! Definitely put something over the sand to prevent them from getting sand stuck all over them.

 

[Cayuga ducks]

Yes I would put something under her for they don’t sink in the sand and get stuck.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

She did NOT like the towel, but she’s back on the nest... and not complaining about the soft towel now at all!

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I took this while she was out dustbathing...

 

[Cayuga ducks]

I took this while she was out dustbathing...

View attachment 1783083

I would put straw in their with or without the blanket.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

I took this while she was out dustbathing...

View attachment 1783083

Great! Good luck with your hatch!!

 

[chickens really]

Definitely use pine shavings and straw..I never heard of using sand in nest boxes.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Definitely use pine shavings and straw..I never heard of using sand in nest boxes.

They don’t mind it at all. They dig a nest and lay their eggs, no problem. I just didn’t want the chicks to get all sandy when they’re still wet from the hatch.

 

[chickens really]

They don’t mind it at all. They dig a nest and lay their eggs, no problem. I just didn’t want the chicks to get all sandy when they’re still wet from the hatch.

Also consider separated from the flock so the others don't kill them once hatching.