HFI Forum :: Topic: Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! (1/2)

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TOPIC: Keeping hay in Nest Boxes!

Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! 03 May 2014 18:52 #1137

HFI_Matt ~ Humble Servant ~ OFFLINE ADMIN Posts: 927 Good Job(s): 108	My chickens keep kicking all the hay out of there nest boxes and that means I keep getting broken eggs! Grrr... I am thinking of adding AstroTurf to the bottoms of the nest boxes but I want other ideas and that's where you guys can come in;) Matt
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Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! 07 May 2014 00:21 #1146

CDfromKY Wise Old Gardener OFFLINE Senior Member Posts: 67 Good Job(s): 18	Matt, have you considered using fine wood chips? My hens really like them. Hens like a deep nest so what they are doing is trying to build up the nest around themselves. I use about four inches of fine wood chips and no problems. If you watch a hen on the nest occasionally they will put some nesting material on their back. This is a primitive instinct to hide their nest well.
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Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! 07 May 2014 06:27 #1147

freakykate OFFLINE New Member Posts: 11 Good Job(s): 1	I agree with CDfromKY. Sounds like they are trying to hide their eggs. I would try another bedding like the wood chips as well. GL! Let us know how it works for you!
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Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! 07 May 2014 11:04 #1149

HFI_Matt ~ Humble Servant ~ OFFLINE ADMIN Posts: 927 Good Job(s): 108	Yes, I have thought of finer nesting material the only thing is I believe this particular chicken will pick it all out:( I've even cut up the hay in smaller pieces and this girl still picks each piece out! I almost want to choke her to death! Ha ha ha!!
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Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! 07 May 2014 11:07 #1150

HFI_Matt ~ Humble Servant ~ OFFLINE ADMIN Posts: 927 Good Job(s): 108	This is what I've decided to do so tell me what you guys think of the idea:)
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Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! 07 May 2014 11:09 #1151

HFI_Matt ~ Humble Servant ~ OFFLINE ADMIN Posts: 927 Good Job(s): 108	By the way, welcome to our website "freakykate" I seen that face on Facebook!
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Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! 03 Jun 2014 21:23 #1474

rsmith OFFLINE Junior Member Posts: 36 Good Job(s): 10	How is the liner working for you?
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Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! 03 Jun 2014 22:17 #1476

HFI_Matt ~ Humble Servant ~ OFFLINE ADMIN Posts: 927 Good Job(s): 108	I have not put it in yet. I am thinking of a way to make the nest "roll out" nest:) Once I do that I will be posting an update video along with photos! Stay tuned...
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Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! 17 Jun 2014 08:43 #1635

rsmith
OFFLINE
Junior Member
Posts: 36
Good Job(s): 10

I love the idea of the roll out nesting boxes! Our coop was a used coop and is small. I don't think we could add those to our coop at this time. I am having issues with my hens roosting and pooping in the nesting boxes. What a mess!! I blocked the nesting boxes before they started laying and they started to roost in the coop or just outside of the nesting boxes. As soon as I opened the boxes when they were old enough to start laying...4 of them decided to start roosting in there again. We have 15 chickens and 4 of them are stubborn! Anyone have any ideas to solve the issue of poop in my nesting boxes, and consequently dirty eggs?

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Keeping hay in Nest Boxes! 17 Jun 2014 12:52 #1637

HFI_Matt ~ Humble Servant ~ OFFLINE ADMIN Posts: 927 Good Job(s): 108	I'm sure I can develop better ideas of how to fix that issue if you post some photos of the area. There are reasons why the roosting there and I'm thinking that may be the highest point in your coop for them to roost. It could also be a comfort thing so take a picture of your coop as well:)
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