what to put in chicken nesting boxes

What To Put In Chicken Nesting Boxes The Ultimate Guide

As a backyard chicken keeper, setting up comfortable and inviting nesting boxes for your hens is one of the most important things you can do. The nesting box is where hens feel safe to lay their eggs, so making it just right will lead to easier egg collection and less stress for your flock. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about optimizing your chicken nesting boxes.

The Most Important Nesting Box Considerations

Here are the key factors to keep in mind when deciding what to put in your chicken nesting boxes

• Nesting Material – The bedding you choose impacts comfort and hygiene. Popular options are pine shavings, straw, hay, and excelsior pads.

• Nesting Herbs – Herbs like lavender provide aromatherapy benefits and natural pest control.

• Fake Eggs – Plastic or wooden eggs encourage hens to lay in the right spot.

• Privacy Curtains – Curtains across the nest box entrance offer more seclusion.

• Cleanliness – Regular cleaning and replacing nesting materials is crucial.

I’ll explain each of these considerations in detail below. Follow these tips and you’ll have happy hens laying perfect eggs in their cozy nest boxes!

Choosing the Best Nesting Materials

The nesting material you put in the boxes makes a big difference. It needs to be soft enough for egg-laying comfort, but also keep things clean and hygienic. Here are some top nesting material options:

Pine Shavings – Pine shavings are absorbent, help control odors, and are easy to replace.

Straw – Straw offers natural insulation and cushion. It’s also very affordable.

Hay – Similar to straw, hay is cozy for hens while being readily available.

Excelsior Pads – These wood fiber pads efficiently absorb moisture and discourage pests.

Ultimately, go with nesting materials your chickens seem to like best. Avoid options like cedar shavings that can be toxic. Maintain nest boxes often by replacing soiled bedding frequently.

Adding Herbs for Health & Pest Control

Incorporating dried herbs into the nesting material provides some great benefits. Herbs like lavender, mint, and chamomile provide calming aromatherapy for your flock. This relaxing environment encourages laying.

Certain herbs also act as natural pest deterrents, keeping mites, lice, and flies at bay. Popular nesting box herb choices are lavender, peppermint, rosemary, parsley, and calendula. Mix dried herbs right in with your standard nesting bedding.

Using Fake Eggs to Set the Scene

Introducing wooden or plastic fake eggs in your nest boxes helps show your chickens where to lay. Seeing “eggs” in a spot triggers their natural instinct to lay there too. Fake eggs are especially useful for training young pullets just starting to lay.

Make sure fake eggs are visible in the spot you want your hens to use. Some chickens may try to sit on the fakes and go broody. Remove the fakes if this happens. But overall fake eggs are an easy training tool to establish ideal laying habits.

Installing Privacy Curtains

Some chicken keepers hang curtains across the front of nest boxes to make them more secluded and private. Nesting is a vulnerable time for chickens, so curtains provide security. They also visually hide eggs from other hens that might peck or eat them.

Light fabric works well for curtains. Cut them a few inches wider than the nest box opening and affix the top with Velcro or removable clips. Make sure to use breathable fabric so airflow isn’t restricted. Open bottom edges allow easy entry and exit.

Keeping Things Clean

Maintaining clean nesting boxes is crucial for hen health and preventing disease issues. Dump out soiled bedding and droppings as often as daily. Disinfect the boxes with natural cleaners weekly or monthly.

Providing fresh, clean bedding encourages chickens to keep happily laying in the right spot. Pine shavings and nest box liners are easiest to replace regularly. Staying on top of nest box hygiene is key.

Recommended Nest Box Setup Tips

Along with what goes inside them, proper placement and setup of your nest boxes is important too. Follow these tips:

• Install boxes at least 18-24 inches off the floor so hens don’t roost or poop in them

• Make sure boxes are lower than roosting bars so hens don’t choose to roost in them

• Place boxes in a secluded, low-traffic area of the coop for privacy

• Use one box per 4-5 hens, with a minimum of 2-3 boxes total

• For medium/large hens, make box dimensions 12″-14″ on each side

• Clean boxes frequently and replace nesting materials often

• Consider adding curtains, herbs, fake eggs to optimize the nesting environment

By setting up your chicken nest boxes with attentiveness to key details like those covered here, you’ll have a coop that’s optimized for easy egg laying and flock health. Check out my step-by-step nest box setup guide for more tips to get your hens laying happily.

Simple DIY Nesting Box Options

Building your own basic nest boxes is easy and affordable. Here are two options:

Wooden Crates – Use new or recycled wood to construct a box roughly 12″-14″ on a side. Attach a perch pole under the entrance.

Wire Baskets – Flip wire baskets upside down and zip-tie or wire them into cubbies. Add a wooden perch pole too.

For either style, place 2-3 boxes in a quiet coop area 18″+ off the floor. These simple but functional DIY nest boxes work great!

Essential Nesting Box Supplies

Having the right supplies on hand makes managing your nest boxes much easier. Here are some must-have items to include:

• Nesting Material: Pine shavings, straw, hay, excelsior pads

• Herbs: Dried lavender, mint, thyme, parsley

• Fake Eggs: Plastic or wooden imitation eggs

• Nest Box Bedding: Shavings, pads, liners designed to fit boxes

• Natural Cleaning Spray: Vinegar, citrus, essential oil blends

• Curtains or Fabric: For optional box privacy covers

Keep your coop stocked with these essentials so your nests are always inviting for your chickens!

Troubleshooting Common Nest Box Problems

Even with great setup, you might encounter an occasional issue like these:

Messy Boxes: Ragged curtains, tall perches, or roof access allows roosting and makes a mess.

Eggs Laid Outside: Not enough nest boxes for flock size or boxes in high traffic areas.

Broken Eggs: Insufficient or soiled nesting materials. Regular cleaning and fluffing bedding helps.

Hens Avoiding Boxes: Nearby activity bothers them. Try more secluded placement or curtains for privacy.

Pay attention to your hens and tweak your nest box setup as needed until you find the right formula for maximum egg production and minimal problems!

Your chickens rely on their nest boxes for a safe, comfortable place to lay eggs. By using the right materials and setup, you can optimize these spaces for productivity and health. Focus on providing inviting bedding, herbs, cleanliness, and privacy. With these tips in mind, your nest boxes will be a beloved part of your coop in no time!