Straw, hay or wood shavings in nesting boxes?

[Attack Chicken]

I mist pine shavings and some of the small critter bedding you can buy at a walmart. They love it!

 

[LynneP]

I'm using hay because I have a loft full of it! The girls like to 'weave' a deep circular nest and when in the box they sometimes nibble on the alfalfa seed. They keep it clean too.

 

[mjdtexan]

Quote:
What is that all about?

 

[PaintedMeadows]

Diatomaceous Earth

Quoted from The Country Chicken

For lice and mite control, I use Diatomaceous Earth on the floor, on the roost shelves, and in the nestingboxes. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural, non-chemical insecticide that is safe for pets and people.​

 

[PaintedMeadows]

Thanks for all of the great advice. I really appreciate it!!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
What is that all about?

It also helps to dry up the poop if you're using the deep litter method. Cuts down on the smell and the flies.

Painted, I am so thankful that my SO talked me into switching to hay in my nest boxes about a week ago. We got two bales at $3 a pc. from a neighbor. I pile a big ol' wad of it into the nest boxes and the hens arrange it to their liking. No more picking little pieces of shavings off the eggs.

 

[Cetawin]

$ 3 per bale...OMG We are paying almost $ 16 per bale here ( going up in winter to almost $20) for good quality Hay and Alfalfa.

 

[Grass]

i use pine shavings on the floor and straw in the nesting boxes.....pine shavings does make cleanup much easier...and the hens love the straw in the boxes so they can build a nest to suite them

 

[Gindee77]

I use shavings and grass clippings mixed. Then I sprinkle DE on the nests every time I add new bedding. They love the clippings and have something to nibble on while they wait to lay. I've had very few ground eggs, so they must like that combination okay! I'll need to find some bales of grass hay for winter tho.

 

[mistylady]

I have wood shavings. They hens love it in the nesting boxes. I'll mix straw with the shavings on the floor this winter. The DE will be in on the 8th and I'll add some to their nesting boxes.