What do you use in your nest? hay? straw? nesting pad? wood shavings?

[kathyinmo]

What is best in the nest area? Hay or straw? My chicks are only 6 weeks old, when do I prepare nests? Do I wait until they are ready to lay, or just always have them there and available? Should I cover them, or leave them open? Thanks, Kathy

 

[card5640]

I would leave them closed until they are about 4 months old, I use shavings and dry leaves in mine. Make sure the nest boxes are lower then your highest roosting bar. Ohh the egg wait its so much fun.

 

[valentinebaby]

I just finished my exterior nest box and will probably use wood shavings. I lined the "floor" of the boxes with vinyl. I did read a good idea from a fellow BYC'er that lines their floor with cut-out cardboard and then the filler on top of that. Makes clean up SUPER easy - so I'm going to try that. I also have read that it's best to wait to put the boxes out about a week or so before they are looking like they're ready to lay - to prevent them from using it as a place to hang out! Good luck - I have one that turns 16 weeks tomorrow and she's showing ALL the signs that she's extremely close! Yeah!!!

 

[dixiechick]

In the brooder, I use pine shavings. In the nesting box, we use pine needles.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I have tried straw,hay and shavings the hens kick it all out. Just lately I have used another BYCer idea. She used spanish moss from the trees. I tried it and so far they have left it in the nests. Its cheaper too.

 

[JennsPeeps]

I use a dishpan and pine shavings. Every do often I remove the dishpan and flip up the shavings (like a chef does on TV). The breeze catches the feathers & dust, thereby "cleaning" the shavings. They rarely poop in there.

 

[Pine Acres Peeps]

I steal some hay from my horses, they usually leave it alone. Somedays I have to stick it back in the nests, because some little nut refuses to sleep on the roosts.

 

[al6517]

I use hay, it is cheaper and easier to get for me, I like it though and have never had any problems, 1 large round bale of wheat straw hay will last me all year long and I have 30 nest box holes to fill, Total cost per yr about $35.00.

AL

 

[6hotchicks]

I have tried shredded paper / newspaper....just stay away from the shiny magazine / coupon pages....cheap and plentiful

 

[Punk-Rock_Chicken]

I use Spainish Moss. They dont kick it out like they did the straw. And it is much softer. Just make sure to put it in the oven on 250* for about 15 minute first.(to kill any chiggars or mites)