Are you tired of constantly cleaning up after your chickens who seem determined to fling every bit of nesting material out of their boxes? I’ve been there! After years of chicken keeping, I’ve learned that what you put in your chicken nesting boxes can make all the difference between happy hens that lay clean eggs and a coop that looks like it’s been hit by a tornado.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about the best materials to use in your chicken nesting boxes, why they’re important, and some pro tips that’ll save you time and frustration
Why Nesting Box Material Matters
Before diving into what to put in your chicken nesting boxes let’s talk about why it’s so important
- Provides cushioning to prevent egg breakage
- Creates a comfortable environment for laying hens
- Keeps eggs clean and reduces contamination
- Helps maintain proper hygiene in the coop
- Encourages hens to lay in designated areas
Technically chickens don’t need nesting boxes to lay eggs – they’ll find a secluded spot in the wild – but having proper nesting boxes with comfortable material makes collecting eggs easier for you and laying more comfortable for them.
The Best Materials for Chicken Nesting Boxes
After trying countless options, I’ve narrowed down the top choices for nesting box materials. Here they are in order of my personal preference:
1. Aspen Shaving Nest Pads/Liners
These are honestly a game-changer! After years of frustration with hens flinging material everywhere, I discovered these premade nesting pads.
Why they’re amazing:
- They’re 13″x13″ squares made of aspen shavings
- Have kraft paper backing that holds shavings together
- Hens can’t fling them out of the box!
- Last for days (sometimes a week or more) without replacement
- Result in cleaner eggs and less maintenance
I was hesitant to spend money on something when free options exist, but trust me – they’re worth every penny for the time saved and cleaner eggs.
2. Pine Shavings
Pine shavings are my second-choice nesting material and what I use when I run out of nest pads.
Benefits:
- Highly absorbent
- Good at controlling odors
- Creates a soft, dry environment
- Relatively inexpensive
- Easy to find at farm supply stores
- Mixes well with herbs (more on this below!)
The downside? Chickens love to scratch in pine shavings and will fling them everywhere. You might find yourself refilling boxes daily.
3. Straw or Hay
Straw and hay are traditional nesting materials that many chicken keepers use.
Advantages:
- Readily available and often free if you have a farm
- Provides good insulation, especially in winter
- Has a nice, earthy scent chickens seem to like
- Springy texture creates comfortable nesting area
Drawbacks:
- Gets scattered easily
- Not as absorbent as shavings
- Can mold if it gets wet
- May harbor mites if not changed frequently
4. Excelsior Pads
These specialized nesting pads are made from shredded wood fibers, typically aspen.
Why they work well:
- Excellent moisture-wicking properties
- Create a soft, insulating surface
- Discourage pests and mites
- Easy to clean and replace
- Help prevent bacterial growth
5. Other Options Worth Considering
Shredded paper:
- Cost-effective and readily available
- Provides a soft surface
- Not as absorbent as other options
- Needs frequent replacement
Grass clippings:
- Free if you have a lawn
- Natural feel hens may enjoy
- Don’t use if your lawn is treated with chemicals!
- Not as absorbent as other materials
Cedar shavings:
- Has a pleasant aroma
- Acts as a natural insect repellent
- Slightly more expensive than pine
Warning! Some sources suggest cedar shavings might be toxic to chickens due to the aromatic oils. If you choose to use cedar, ensure proper ventilation in your coop.
Enhancing Your Nesting Box with Herbs
One of my favorite tricks is adding herbs to nesting boxes. Not only do they make the coop smell amazing, but they also offer numerous benefits:
Benefits of Nesting Box Herbs:
- Stress reduction: Lavender and chamomile have calming properties
- Natural pest control: Peppermint and calendula help repel mites, lice, and other pests
- Aromatherapy: Creates a pleasant environment for both hens and you
- May improve egg quality: Some herbs like parsley can enhance egg flavor
- Deters predators: Certain herbs discourage mice, rats, raccoons and other unwanted visitors
Popular herbs to use include:
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Calendula
- Thyme
- Basil
- Oregano
Simply sprinkle dried herbs into your nesting material or create your own herb blend. My chickens absolutely love when I add fresh herbs to their boxes – they actually seem excited to lay eggs!
Additional Items for Nesting Box Success
1. Fake Eggs or Golf Balls
This might sound weird, but placing fake eggs or golf balls in nesting boxes actually encourages hens to lay there! Chickens are naturally drawn to lay where they see other eggs.
Benefits of using fake eggs:
- Trains young pullets where to lay
- Encourages hens to use designated nesting areas
- Can help prevent egg eating behavior
- Establishes a pattern for consistent laying
2. Privacy Curtains
Chickens love privacy when laying eggs. Adding simple curtains to the front of nesting boxes can make a big difference.
Why curtains work:
- Creates a secluded, dark environment hens prefer
- Reduces stress during egg laying
- Discourages egg eating by hiding fresh eggs
- Helps regulate temperature in the nesting area
- May reduce broodiness in some hens
You can make simple curtains from burlap, feed bags, or any lightweight fabric.
3. Nest Box Liners
Nest box liners go underneath your nesting material and can make cleaning much easier.
Options for liners:
- Plastic liners
- Aluminum liners
- DIY liners (plywood covered with linoleum)
- Astroturf
These make cleaning a breeze – just remove the liner, dump the soiled material, rinse, and replace!
How Many Nesting Boxes Do You Need?
Before you start filling boxes with materials, make sure you have enough nesting boxes for your flock:
- General rule: 1 nesting box for every 3-4 hens
- For larger flocks: 1 box for every 2 hens if you have more than 12 chickens
Remember, hens will have favorites! Just like people have a preferred chair at the table, chickens will argue over their favorite nesting box. Having enough options prevents squabbling.
Placement and Maintenance
The location of your nesting boxes matters almost as much as what’s in them:
- Place boxes in a quiet, somewhat dark area of the coop
- Keep them away from high-traffic areas
- Position them lower than roosting perches (this prevents chickens from sleeping in them)
- Make sure they’re easily accessible for egg collection
For maintenance:
- Remove soiled material several times a week
- Add fresh nesting material as needed
- Do a complete clean-out monthly
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth occasionally to prevent pests
Common Nesting Box Problems and Solutions
Problem: Hens not using nesting boxes
Solutions:
- Place fake eggs in boxes
- Ensure boxes are in a quiet location
- Add privacy curtains
- Make sure boxes are clean
- Block off other potential laying spots
Problem: Chickens sleeping in nesting boxes
Solutions:
- Make sure roosts are higher than nesting boxes
- Remove hens from boxes at night and place on roosts
- Block access to nesting boxes at night
- Ensure roosts are comfortable
Problem: Broken eggs
Solutions:
- Add more nesting material for cushioning
- Collect eggs frequently
- Make sure boxes aren’t overcrowded
- Use nest liners or pads for better protection
My Personal Experience
I’ve raised chickens for years, and I’ve tried just about everything you can imagine in nesting boxes. For the longest time, I was stubborn and used free materials like hay from my barn or cheap pine shavings.
But I got SO tired of filling boxes every single day and still finding broken or dirty eggs. When I finally tried the aspen shaving nest pads, it was a total game-changer! They’ve stayed in place for over a week now, and almost every egg has been perfectly clean.
I still toss some loose shavings on top of the pads occasionally to extend their life, but it’s way less maintenance than before. Sometimes it’s worth spending a little money to save yourself a lot of time and frustration!
Final Thoughts
The best nesting box material depends on your specific situation, budget, and the number of chickens you have. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials to find what works best for your flock.
Remember, happy hens = more eggs, so creating comfortable nesting boxes is worth the effort!
What do you put in your chicken nesting boxes? Have you tried any of these materials? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Pro Tip: No matter what material you choose, keep your nesting boxes clean! Dirty nesting boxes can lead to bacterial contamination of eggs and unhappy, unhealthy chickens.
Happy chicken keeping!
Traditional Nesting Box Material:
I have used traditional nesting material in our laying boxes such as hay, straw and wood shavings. While they are all good fillers, if you have chickens you know that they have a tendency to kick all the filling out onto the ground.
If you have a higher lip on the front of your nesting box, maybe you dont deal with this, but man, ours really go to town and I am constantly refilling those laying boxes.
The problem is, when they lay eggs on a hard surface, there is a bigger chance of them breaking when they are laid. They also run the risk of being smashes when another hen comes to lay(because if your hens are like mine, they all fight over the same box, even if you have multiple).
Chicken keepers like you and me cannot afford to let those delicious eggs be destroyed because of this issue. I check our nesting boxes a few times a day to prevent any issues but even with the best of intentions, you can have loss.
But, since I have started to use these chicken coop nest liners those problems seem to be a thing of the past.
Chicken Nesting Box Liner Options
Train Chickens To Lay Where YOU Want In 2 EASY Ways
FAQ
Should you put anything in a nesting box?
Yes, by adding clean, dry wood shavings, leaves or nest box starter materials helps wrens, tits and other birds using nest boxes during winter to stay warm on …
What do chickens want in a nesting box?
Chickens thrive when they have a soft, cozy place to lay, so keeping their nesting boxes well-padded is a simple way to encourage consistent egg-laying. Adding extra shavings, hay, or straw creates a warm, inviting space that makes hens feel secure.
What is the best material to put in nesting boxes?
Plastic Mat – Plastic mats are our go-to nesting material. Not only are they simple to insert and put into place, but they are also beyond easy to clean! Although rare, a hen may accidentally crack an egg in the nest box, or worse, leave leftover droppings.