Stuff to Put Inside Nesting Boxes? They Keep Pushing the Bedding Out :(

[TMurphey]

The substrate in the nesting boxes should be different from the substrate in the bedding. I use hay for the boxes and shavings for the coop bedding.
I also suggest you to make the lip taller. Chickens are happier if there is a thick layer of comfortable hay in the box so the taller the lip, the more hay you can fit in the box.

I tried chopped straw and I found that it would stain the eggs. When the eggs are first laid, they are wet and the straw gets wet and leaves a yellowish stain. Does hay do the same?

 

[DDan]

I had that problem with shavings so I changed the bedding material to aspen excelsior. It is cheap and easily managed, and the hens can compress a depression in the center to hold their eggs. It also composts well when past its usefulness.

 

[Ann in Wyoming]

Hi! We've been having a rather annoying issue with our girls. I keep putting wood shavings inside the coop and nesting boxes, and they keep moving the wood shavings out of the nesting boxes so they are bare. Is there something else I should be using in the nesting boxes? At this point I'm not really sure what to do because I keep putting more wood shavings in there, and they keep kicking them out.
Thanks!

I have the rubber pads in my nesting boxes (washable) in the chicken house and I use straw in the boxes inside the coops (two set up in the chicken house, one gets moved to the enclosure in the summer). Mine just prefer straw to shavings.

 

[Altairsky]

I tried chopped straw and I found that it would stain the eggs. When the eggs are first laid, they are wet and the straw gets wet and leaves a yellowish stain. Does hay do the same?

This never happened to me. I use rice or wheat straw, or hay. Never had this issue.

 

[Ruby32835]

Try switching to dry grass cuttings or chopped straw, BTW how deep is your nesting box?

I have the same problem with my hens. I switched to the nesting pads and I sprinkled them with aromatic herbs. They seem to like it, problem solved.

 

[Ann in Wyoming]

Hi! We've been having a rather annoying issue with our girls. I keep putting wood shavings inside the coop and nesting boxes, and they keep moving the wood shavings out of the nesting boxes so they are bare. Is there something else I should be using in the nesting boxes? At this point I'm not really sure what to do because I keep putting more wood shavings in there, and they keep kicking them out.
Thanks!

 

[Ann in Wyoming]

The Standlee Flock Fresh bedding is working well for us. And we do sprinkle the coop fresh weekly and add a handful of the herbal support to the food when we refill the buckets.

 

[Coopkeeper50]

Do your nesting boxes have a lip at the front? I prefer hay in my nesting boxes arranged in a circle like a bird's nest. It's not as easily kicked out and provides a soft landing area for the eggs.

I also use hay and they form the nest. I have plastic plant saucers in each side. I just throw the hay in. Usually there is a bare spot on the bottom. I just figure that is the way they like it as I put plenty in.

 

[Joanne2]

Hi! We've been having a rather annoying issue with our girls. I keep putting wood shavings inside the coop and nesting boxes, and they keep moving the wood shavings out of the nesting boxes so they are bare. Is there something else I should be using in the nesting boxes? At this point I'm not really sure what to do because I keep putting more wood shavings in there, and they keep kicking them out.
Thanks!

Try the nesting pads, my girls love them.
I also put in nesting herbs. Good luck

 

[Bsmac]

After more than a decade just using shavings or hay and thinking it sufficient (and cheap)...
I finally broke down one time with crazy POL pullets, and tried these nest pads.
View attachment 4306156

They actually really helped. No more buried eggs or shavings kicked out.
I think they work best not fluffed up. I just put them in as flat as possible. The pullets can try to kick, but they're standing on the other side, so it doesn't go anywhere. Take that, girls!
Although pricey, they last a long time.

Alternatively, back when I had my horse and plentiful long strand hay on hand (Orchard was best)... I used to pre-spin a hollow nest bowl for the pullets. Upon finding it, they were pleased enough not to mess with it.

I use those too they work great!