Suzy Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Hi, just a quick question. What should I line the nest box with? I got hay in the beginning, and then saw that was a no no and I should use straw so switched to that - and have just seen another post saying this can get stuck in their crop (the location of which I have just discovered) so am a bit worried. Our chief bully Lottie sleeps in the nest and I don't think anyone eats straw but just wanted to be safe. BTW, If anyone can help me out with a bit of hen biology or steer me in the right direction of where to find some info on the net on what a vent is, crop is, gizzard etc, and purposes of all these hen related bits, I'd be grateful. Google is a bit random in what it brings up when I've searched for them. Thanks Suzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Hi ya, We use shredded paper from our cross cut shredder, straw can impact their crops. The crop is a pouch at the lower end of the throat, by the end of the day you will see it bulging out from all the food they've eaten throughout the day, normally golf ball size. The gizzard is where the food is broken up for digestion. The vent is where the eggs come from (basically the chicken's bum!) also where poo comes from though both come from different pipes which meet up at the very exit point of the vent. P.S. A good book to get for first time chicken keeping is from the Omlet shop "Keeping Pet Chickens" which is written by Johannes Paul and William Windham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 I use Aubiose in the nest box and run. Re biology lesson **Look here** Click to begin at bottom of page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Straw is OK in the nest box - it is hay that they might eat which causes the impacted crop. Some don't like straw in the nest box as it can harbour mites, but I've used it for short periods with no problems. But I do prefer shredded paper (free) or aubiose (which I have in anyway for the run) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Straw is OK in the nest box - it is hay that they might eat which causes the impacted crop. Some don't like straw in the nest box as it can harbour mites, but I've used it for short periods with no problems. But I do prefer shredded paper (free) or aubiose (which I have in anyway for the run) i read they eat streaw too, but have a bale in my run to stop bullying. (can hide) mine pull it apart only eat the seedy bits when I have observered carefully. I have my fingers crossed as it really helped stop the constant bullying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Mine hated the straw - the second I put it in, they dragged it all out and put it in the run. I had repeated attempts, kept putting in new straw, but the chickens won - and I now put hemcore in there instead. It still gets flicked all over the place (messy things!) but there is always enough in there to assist poo clearout and stop eggs cracking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 The odd hen has been known to develop a taste for straw. Someone on the forum had a hen die last year because of it. Best avoided imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 I use wood shavings in my nest boxes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 The odd hen has been known to develop a taste for straw. Someone on the forum had a hen die last year because of it. Best avoided imho. Any sugestions what I could put in it's place it is the right height for getting onto table, provides an out of sight for bullied girls, table would do one job put it is sooo good for hiding behind ou & putting on their backs for nersting. Was aware & thinking it might be a risk I had to take for a peaceful run life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Definatly woodshavings is a favourite for me, its clean, cheap and easy to clear out, aswell as being soft and comfortable for chicken bottoms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
