straw or pine shavings

[beeksnfeet]

We put felt pads in our nesting boxes then covered them with straw, I think it makes a better support so you don't end up with broken eggs in the box. It sure helped for us!

What a good Idea! I usually have a thick layer of bedding in the boxes, so I don't think I would need the felt. But maybe it would help some during the winter months. Thanks!!!

 

[beeksnfeet]

Use hay for the nesting box. idk about the coop and run because i don't have that type of coops

I was told hay is not good for them because it molds very easy, that straw is much better. And talk about dumb, I always thought that straw and hay were pretty much the same. Haveing chickens is a learning experience and you get quite an education too!
Thanks!

 

[beeksnfeet]

Don't use hay!! it is way to dusty and causes eye problems, it carries mold spores that cauze all sorts of problems and if it gets wet it rots and goes moldy very quickly!

Amen to that. I used straw for the first time, so we will see how that works! Thanks.

 

[beeksnfeet]

I use shredded paper in the nesting boxes. It does not pack down hard and its and endless free supply. I use anything else in the run area, grass, leaves, pine, hay, whatever I am cutting that season. poop in the box is just a thing, maybe she did not shut the valve off in time, thinking it was the egg. the valve is not open at the same time, but she may get in there early and just need to go. I leave mine well enough alone. what are ya gonna do, have a good strong talkin to em' about where to go?  

Exactly! And I don't know about your chickens, but mind don't seem to listen to me very well! A little poop is ok. So far thats all I get from her when she is in the box and the other 2 do not do that, so I am grateful. And ya know what they say.....When ya gotta go, ya gotta GO! Thanks

 

[beeksnfeet]

Nest boxes In my nest boxes I fold a feed bag to fit (nest boxes are 1 ft³). When a bag gets soiled; fold a new one; pop out the soiled; pop in the new. My feed bags are a nylon mesh bag similar to this about 40lbs. Easy peasy!.

Good Idea. We only have 3 girls, so I only get a feed bag every so often. Next time I will save it just so I can try your idea. Thanks!

 

[Hokum Coco]

I find in the winter poop just peels off the bag (below freezing ).
Summer bake the bag in sun poop pops off.
I have a spring near the coop so I give it a rinse from time to time.
I have anywhere from 12 -24 hens at any given time.
Plus at one time 40 white homing pigeons so feed bags are in ample supply.
Unfortunately my homing pigeons are down to 6 after a family of raccoons attacked.

 

[ronmauldin]

In the nesting boxes, I use a then layer of pine shavings and thin put straw on top of that. Best of both worlds.

 

[dannyisforreal]

I earlier actually said i use hay, but i would prefer sawdust because its easier to clean than hay. Saw dust in my parts is very expensive and we can get our own hay from the fields so its practically free except for diesel witch could possible be free to. So if its cheap go for the sawdust over hay.

 

[Tyaloria]

thank you! answered my question fully