The Best Material for Lining a Nest Box

[crtrlovr]

I too tried a few different mediums, and what works best for my gang is hay. Straw is more slick and they didn't like it and wouldn't lay on it at all, preferring to lay on the floor rather than in the boxes w/ straw. They LOVE the hay, it stays clean unless some wiseacre decides to sleep in the box, and when it does get dirty, like someone else said, it's easy to lift out the whole mass & toss it in the compost heap. I have strange nest boxes; the ones I thought the girls would LOVE and would be perfect they basically ignore. Their two very favorite nest boxes are an old suitcase w/ hay and an old dresser drawer (also w/ hay). They will stand in line to use either of those, and if it happens to be occupied, they're not above pecking the occupant to try and "hurry them along", or just down right run 'em off! bad girls!

The bantams have started to lay in 1 of the first ones I thought were perfect, so maybe somebody will make use of them.

 

[Mon27]

I use pine shavings and am searching for some type of astro-turf material to put under the shavings. It will be easier to pull everything out and give it a good cleaning. I may try shelf liner as well.

 

[RDenman]

I use hay, straw for my nest boxes. For the rest of the coup depends on what time of year it is i use hay,straw,wood chips (not shavings) and sand. I tried shredded cardboard and they wouldn't even go close to that box. I Put shredded mail in the coup, They ate it lol.

 

[Janabell2000]

I use Pine Shavings for my nest box and straw for the chicken run area. However, my birds will not only lay in the pine shavings but also eat it.

 

[ConPollos]

I've only had my first two eggs over the past two days, but so far the mini-flake pine shavings are working great. I like the idea of carpet or astroturf pads too.

 

[vineviewfarm]

I use mostly pine shavings also but i add a mix of dried herbs and pest repelling leaves all dried, which i hang in their coop till they are dry and make a mix up of. Ive had good results in reducing disease and pests and have witnessed chooks lining up to use the nesting box with the herbs etc whilst leaving the "normal " ones vacant the next week or so i change it around and they follow the herbs and line up again it was hilarious but now i just put herbs and pine shavings in them all I do now have a problem with hens going broody regularly and also wanting to sleep in the nest boxes and therfore poop in them but it seems to be the same few each time

 

[wyofriend]

Paper shreds - the least bit of moisture and you have papier mache - not cozy!

 

[bantambarnyard]

I use pine shavings. They are so absorbent and do not cost much!

 

[Catandherchicks]

Hay in the nest boxes. As others stated, easy to clean out (and smells nice, freshened daily), and hens like to form their bowl. Pine shavings about 3" deep on coop floor.

 

[itswhit]

Great idea! What herbs do you use?