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

[Henchanted]

Hi

I do feel a ninny asking this but I really can't quite work it out myself. My eglu set up is almost hen-ready except for the matter of bedding.

My worry is

A) not putting enough so that the cold wind blows through and my hens won't be as snuggly or

B) if I fill it with bedding then air wont be circulate and there wont be space for the poo to fall through the bars.

I seek your henny wisdom

[coco]

I just put about an inch or two, enough to soak up any wet and give some insulation when its cold. They get a thinner layer in the summer.

[Henchanted]

Thanks Coco

 

So you mean right up level or above the roosting bars?

[JillM]

Below the bars so the poo isn't by their feet

[Chortle Chook]

I don't have an but in the house I do have, I find that the chooks scratch the aubiose about so it is never the same depth across the whole floor anyway.

[mollyripkim]

I have a and my girls have a layer of bedding that completely covers the roosting bars. I was really unsure about this as well but as they are silkies I stayed with the set up that the breeder used. The droppings tray is full of bedding which I change every couple of weeks. The top layer I poo pick every day and change once a week.

I would like to try using no bedding and letting them use the bars but it seems a bit unkind as they are used to snuggling up together. Maybe in the better weather.

[Purplemaniacs]

I use Easibed but it is similar. I just put a sprinkling in the base of the poo trays to make cleaning easier and then a good amount in the nest box, perhaps 2 or 3 inches deep.

 

I also use Easibed in my WIR.

 

Chrissie

[Egluntyne]

I put about a third of a bale in a standard run.