Why are my hens scratching all the pine shavings out of their nest boxes?

[Kathy Golla]

They are trying to make a nest.
The pine shavings are light.
Try excelsior nesting pads.

 

[i like emus]

I think you should use the shavings at your local feed store

 

[Ridgerunner]

You asked how high does the opening need to be? I've used a nest with the opening 6" high and 8" wide for full sized fowl. I had a nest with a lip on the front about 2" high and they were scratching the bedding out so I raised it and all that left was a 6" high opening. Raising that lip higher stopped the problem of them scratching the bedding, fake egg, and any real eggs they laid out of the nest.

I suggest you add another 1-1/2 to 2" to that lip. That leaves you and opening of at least 8" which is plenty and it may solve your problem.

 

[lazy gardener]

What RR says. Also, you might consider switching to hay. I stuff my nest boxes full of hay, about a 4" layer. And I cup it up around the edges so it makes a nice well padded cave.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

My hens prefer straw/haw over pine flakes. I can have 4 nests, 3 with pine shavings and one with hay, and they will use the latter.