So I changed the nesting boxes to straw and they are making a mess!!!!

[DingleBay]

I had the same problem with pine shavings. I have pine trees by the coop so I tried pine needles. They love it. It forms a nice round nest and last a long time. Every so often I just add a handfull or two of needles and it works great.

 

[simplynewt]

Have you got a lip in from of the nest boxes to retain the straw red? am using straw and have no problem with it yet. Thinking about moving to pine shavings after reading this thread though.

 

[cravenchx]

I also had pine needles in my boxes and the
girls didn't seem to know what they were, and
they were kinda sharp and sticky. I have switched
to straw. Anyone know how "deep" the straw should
be? Of course they aren't laying yet,

but I want to
make them as comfortable as possible.

 

[TN_BIRD]

Quote:
I did the same thing.

For months, we didn't have anything in the nest boxes and it wasn't a problem. My neighbor gave me half a bale of hay so I figured I'd put some in the nest box. I did the circular pattern thing and they took to it nicely (they even improved my design and have a nice, cozy nest). The first few days they did fling some of it around, but that seems to have stopped. Might be an issue of "less is more"

 

[Zigmont]

It depends upon the type of straw. Some straw is very rough. I line my boxes with shavings and then put grass hay in and fluff it. They then shape it into their little bowl. The grass hay is very soft. They hated straw, alphafa, and timothy... All too tough.

 

[Zigmont]

Momma Hen Chris,

Are those eggs real!!!? Talk about EEs! What kind of chickens do you have?

 

[Zigmont]

Momma Hen Chris,

Are those eggs real!!!? Talk about EEs! What kind of chickens do you have?

 

[DingleBay]

There must be different type of pine needles depending where you live. The ones I use are not at all sticky or sharp. They are like grass but a little firmer. A lot softer than straw. After a day or so the nest they make remindes me of a big robbin's nest. The bottom stays soft and the sides form a nice round nest.

 

[Ole rooster]

I do have some pine needles mixed in mine also. The native long leaf pines do have prickly needles, but the north Georgia white pine has a very soft needle, although it is rather short. But I think they would pack in better. I think I'll rake up some of those and just see. I have a 3 inch board across the front of my hest with a 1 inch gap/opening at the bottom. Some material does come out there but the girls don't fling it out from the top side.

Personally I don't think the chickens would know the difference is pine needles with all the feathers they have. I think the prickly is us thinking chickens have bare bottoms. They wear their diaper all the time.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Quote:
I only wish!
Sorry to disappoint...The only real egg is the one in the middle from my Cuckoo Marans. The other two are plastic. Hopefully my Ameracauna, Amelia, will be laying those blue eggs for real. My EE lays a bluish green one.