nest boxes

[hodge911]

sorry if this is a silly question but new to chook keeping .
the ex batts are in thier new home now and thier feathers are coming in a treat but i,m just wondering whats the best to put into the nesting/laying box,s straw etc ??

[Eco-Chic]

I put shavings in mine. Other Grapes use Easibed, Hemcore, Aubison - all Horse bedding.

If you put straw in the coop you run a risk of introducing redmite. Having said that, most people have to put straw in the run so the chooks aren't paddling in liquid mud.

ps There are no silly questions

[Suechooks]

Agree entirely with Eco-chic. However I'm no sure my hens do! Yesterday after I'd put some new straw bales in the run I could hear clucking and scuffling going on in the corner between the bale and the fence. When I looked there were 3 of them trying to squeeze into a space about 3 inches wide! They all managed to lay unbroken eggs in there - the 2 nest boxes in the nice dry hut remained empty!

[Eco-Chic]

Cor' they do make them chooks tough up norf!

They prefer their comforts down in the the easy sarf

[Bephlam]

I just line my nest boxes with hemcore. I did use straw for a while, but they didn't really like it...so I promptly removed it. I have a big hay bail outside the run for them to hop about on, but to be honest they don't pay much attention to it. Dogs love it though!!!

[Nicos]

Mine have shavings too.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Good question and good answers...........am learning all the time..........

[matthew2riches]

I just use cheap horse bedding. Dust free and kept dry - it is a lot better than straw as is solves another red mite 'hidey-hole'!