I couldn't decide if this was a coop or management issue, so sorry if I'm in the wrong place! My girls are getting to the egg laying age and I've had pine shavings in the coop up until this time (including the nest boxes). Should I add straw to them or are pine shavings ok?
I've used both in the nesting boxes, depending on what I have clean when I need fresh material. They don't seem to mind either way.
I think mine prefer straw because they can rearrange it more easily, but they use either one without a fuss. Usually I put pine shavings under the straw to absorb any accidentally broken eggs.
I put a handful of shavings on the bottom and fill the rest with straw. My ladies just LOVE to make those perfect little nests, carefully arranging each piece until it is perfect. Absolutely amazing, I think!
I use pine shavings, just because I think it is cleaner. Because of the curing process, straw is filled with mildew spores that only need a little moisture to activate.
