Best nesting box bedding for cleanest eggs?

[Farmgirl3]

I use hay that seems to work pretty good considering all my silky roos and ducks sleep in the nesting box. You will need to clean out nesting boxes at least 1 time a week of you want clean eggs!

Often times If you nesting box is higher than roosting or same level chickens will sleep in nesting boxes. So If there is any way to move nest box closer to floor might want to consider. To reduce dropping n nest box and eggs.

I use wood chips as bedding because it is more absorbent, then the top layer i use hay or staw. Have tried to use shredded paper but does not work lf the chicken cracks egg and the paper gets wet. then if there’s any ink on the paper it will go off on the egg and it’s almost impossible to clean. So that is why I use wood chips and have great results.

 

[Thomasonfarm]

What is the best bedding (straw, hay, pine shavings, etc) for nesting boxes to get the cleanest eggs?

I am currently using straw. Whenever there is wet weather outside - almost all eggs are dirty. Also occasionally there is a poop in the nest (possibly because of some of them molting and have no other business to do in the nesting box). Also there is one chicken that lays very fragile egg that often crashes making all eggs in the nest covered with yolk.

Would pine shavings work better in cleaning their feet and neutralizing occasional poop at least? Not sure if anything could efficiently absorb a broken egg quickly enough.

I use plastic nesting box pads. I love these because there is no mess. If they happen to poop on them, the pads are easily removed & hosed off. Here is an example:

EZ.SIMPLY Chicken Nesting Pads - 6 Washable Nesting Pad - Best Chicken coop Accessories - Poultry Mat for Nesting Boxes - Perfect for Chicken House! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092ZW2NN...t_i_C1JY8BA06P5JEGXKAMED?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[chickencoop57]

I use hay, as well. I have 4, built on the side, nest boxes. And of course, the eggs get dirty when it rains, like yall, and occasionally they can get pooped on. I too had a hen that laid Fragile eggs and leave a mess in the nest box every time. I'd just pull out the hay, wash that particular nest, and replace it with new hay. Wasnt to much trouble. I eventually found out which hen that laid the fragile eggs and culled her. That fixed that problem. I also don't allow any of the chickens to sleep in the nest boxes. I have door that I close every evening to keep them from getting in them but I've noticed, when I have forgotten to shut the door, that the older hens prefer their roost as to sleeping in the nest. However, I do have some younger hens or pullets that are still learning and they will get into the nest.

 

[Stephoney]

I’ve used hemp for the past year. It works great to desiccate droppings and keep eggs clean. If I find any droppings, they’re usually all dried up and easy to flick out of the nesting box. Hemp also is dust free and fluffs up nicely to keep hens toasty while laying. Here’s an article about using it if you’re interested : Hemp Bedding in Nesting Box.

 

[raingarden]

Roll-out nest boxes help a lot because the eggs are not under the hen long enough to get dirty.

 

[chickengr]

would you recommend hay over straw?

hay is a better choice as mites cannot breed in there while they easily hide and breed in straw.

 

[3KillerBs]

hay is a better choice as mites cannot breed in there while they easily hide and breed in straw.

I could be wrong because I've never had mites in my coop and had to deal with them, but my understanding is that mites breed in any crack or crevice in the coop and that the type of bedding matters very little.

 

[Kriscam]

What is the best bedding (straw, hay, pine shavings, etc) for nesting boxes to get the cleanest eggs?

I am currently using straw. Whenever there is wet weather outside - almost all eggs are dirty. Also occasionally there is a poop in the nest (possibly because of some of them molting and have no other business to do in the nesting box). Also there is one chicken that lays very fragile egg that often crashes making all eggs in the nest covered with yolk.

Would pine shavings work better in cleaning their feet and neutralizing occasional poop at least? Not sure if anything could efficiently absorb a broken egg quickly enough.

I use sand & straw in my covered run, and pine shavings in my coop. In the next boxes I have nesting pads with pine shavings on top. I seldom have issues with dirty eggs. https://www.strombergschickens.com/...3qW0RekpKrr2NrEYNLgijV3vMvZDsZTxoCEH8QAvD_BwE

 

[chickengr]

I could be wrong because I've never had mites in my coop and had to deal with them, but my understanding is that mites breed in any crack or crevice in the coop and that the type of bedding matters very little.

true. I still don't use straw in nesting boxes as some hens spend a lot of time in there.

 

[Bonnieboo]

I'm not sure if you have it in the States, but hemp fibre is the best. It is super absorbent and soft on their cute, little bottoms