What bedding do I use for nesting boxes?

[ChickenMammX4]

I had the same concern about interrupting them while laying since at first the hens weren't using the nesting boxes and when they finally did would my presence disturb them. In our case, it didn't matter. After they found the nesting boxes to their liking, they always lay in them.

 

[aart]

I'd add the the lip height....and also add a perch.

They can get used to you opening the nests access,
some of mine don't mind at all, some get used to it, some never get used to it.

It's really hard not to keep checking when your first pullets start laying!
I spent so much time in the coop when my first home hatched pullets were growing up that they were used to me being in there,
working from home I was in and out of coop all day long and that can make big difference.
Subsequent new birds didn't experience as much of my presence so were more likely to be disturbed by it.