scratching in the nestbox

[Justin36]

Ever since my 4 year old decided to help me feed them and filled one of the nestboxes with feed they throw all the straw out by scratching. I have cleaned them out real good and put fresh straw in and everytime they just throw it back out. They also started eating there eggs, I have no idea how to stop this.

 

[Judy]

I would remove the nest boxes, myself. I don't see any other way to un-teach them that food is in nest boxes. Perhaps you could pile a little hay in a corner for them to lay in, at least for a while. I wouldn't try to replace nest boxes for some time, if at all, to be sure they have forgotten.

Here is an article on egg eating:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/six-tips-on-breaking-your-egg-eater

 

[Justin36]

Problem is they are built into the coop, I could nail a board lover the top to block them off though.

 

[mickey328]

Most of my girls seem to prefer the "bare" approach as well; others like bedding in the boxes. It certainly keeps them busy...one climbs in and busily scratches it all out. The next one very carefully redecorates, LOL. In order to make sure there's something in there to support the egg, we put a piece of "welcome mat" in the bottom; the kind that has little plastic bristles on it. Seems to give them a texture they like and they can scratch at it with no harm. When it gets icky, we take it out and hose it off.

Four of them don't seem to like the boxes and lay on the floor. They all scratch all the bedding away and lay right on the floor. To provide a bit of protection for the eggs, we put down some corrugated plastic...looks much like cardboard but is sturdier. They scratch and peck at it but it's still smooth and is a bit more forgiving than bare wood.