Straw or hay for nest boxes- preference?

[emerytx]

Straw - it’s pure, hay has so many noxious weeds, twigs, briars. I dust it with some DE and can dispose of it in my garden compost with no worries of seed germination.

 

[mbailey78]

I tried multiple things for nesting boxes and my hens kick it all out of the box. I have 11 nest boxes. So I bought a few feet of grass like rug (thick, not the thin indoor/outdoor carpet) from Lowe’s and cut to size. It has worked perfectly for the last couple years. I shake it out when it gets dusty and rinse/soak as needed.

 

[Thomas70]

Hi Backyard Chicken forum friends,

I am a first time chicken owner finishing up my first coop. I wonder if I should get straw or hay to bed the nesting boxes for my 4 chickens. Which is preferred and why?

thank you for replying,
-Hilary

Straw is best but you can use shavings. As for preference it is whatever works for you.

 

[Taj_MaChicken]

Bookmarking for later, as our nesting boxes just arrived yesterday (we planned on building them, then my boyfriend build the Taj MaChicken, and now is over building anything else )

 

[Sea Wolf]

Hi Backyard Chicken forum friends,

I am a first time chicken owner finishing up my first coop. I wonder if I should get straw or hay to bed the nesting boxes for my 4 chickens. Which is preferred and why?

thank you for replying,
-Hilary

Straw. Hay gets moldy.

 

[pargue]

For nest boxes i use pine needles ( ponderosa ) the girls love them, they make beautiful nest bowls out of them. I use chopped straw or wood shavings for the rest, but the straw composts the best!

 

[Vicker]

A lot of replies are about bedding. You asked about the nest boxes. The nest boxes just need to have a clean, soft landing spot for eggs. The hens shouldn't be spending much pooping time in them, unless you are letting them sit on a clutch to hatch, so absorption properties aren't as crucial. I've used everything already discussed, as well as newspaper, astroturf or plastic nest box liners that you can wash and dry as needed.

 

[Chip0523]

My chickens prefer wood shavings and it seems to be pretty cheap in my area. Straw and hay are also great materials for nesting boxes but you have to be very careful as sometimes the hay or straw could carry unwanted insects that could hurt or infect your coop.

 

[texsuze]

Since I already buy coastal hay for my horse, I use it in my nest boxes as well. Soft, forms to the hen's body, and I can give it to my horse to eat when I clean out the nest boxes

 

[CJLR]

We use straw