Warm boot recommendations please

[mystic.kitty]

We lay straw in our nesting box, but every time we fill it the chickens empty it of straw. Also one of them roosts in the nesting box.

 

Any suggestions how we can stop them from pulling all the straw out of the nesting box? Will it just stop once the nesting instinct has kicked in (we're still waiting for our first egg)?

[moochoo]

My chooks always kick the straw out of the nesting box so now they just have Hemcore in there. They don't mind that at all. I wondered whether the straw irritated them by wrapping around their feet.

You can always put a ball or a flower pot in the nesting box overnight to discourage them from sleeping there.

Trial and error is the key, you'll know when you've got it right for them.

[mystic.kitty]

Thank you for the reply, I'd never thought of blocking the nesting off at night, we'll try doing that.

 

I'm glad my chooks aren't the only ones which kick the straw everywhere!

[ktdot]

I use hemcore in the nesting box now but have used sawdust and shredded paper. Hemcore is far easier to keep clean.

 

I had read somewhere that straw may not be a good idea because little creatures can live in the hollow middle of the straw.