Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[beingmaisie]

My 2 light sussex, RIR cross girls are almost 15 weeks old and i am getting so excited thinking about their first eggs. Have just been reading about how the combs and facials parts become much redder as they are coming into lay and have noticed that my girls are much darker now than they were.

 

Out of interest what bedding is best for the nesting box, straw, hay, wood shavings, paper?

[-sarahjayne]

Hay can give respiratory problems so i wouldn't use it if i were you.

I use straw AND old shredded bills in mine.

I would think wood shavings would be a little messy? Not sure though, someone else can tell you

 

You must be so excited. Mine starting laying at 24 weeks (ish) and currently I only have 3 laying at 26 weeks.

[Sammy]

It's a very exciting time. My 7 girls are now 19 weeks old, Poppy my Babcock has been laying for a week now, 6 eggs in 7 day. Another of my girls started laying yesterday (we don't know who as we weren't in when she layed and she doesn't seem to have layed again today as the egg colours/shapes are different) and then today my BlueBelle, Midnight and my RIR, Fergie both layed so I have 4 of 7 girls laying - still haven't worked out who layed the extra egg on Friday and found myself and the children spent most of the day today egg watching and waiting to see who went in the nest box with hourly checks. So we have ascertained 3 of the 4 girls, still to work out the mystery layer and hope that these eggs are sparking on the rest of the girls.

 

The excitement certainly takes over!!!!!!

[beingmaisie]

congrats on your girls laying so well, im sure they will 'egg' the others on. (sorry, bad pun i know)

 

i love your girls names too.

 

Gill