Nesting box and cracked eggs

[IZZYBELLA]

They are cracking when they drop. I was watching.... Chicken stalker

I stalk my chickens, too! And goats. And bees. ;-)

 

[M Scott]

Thanks to all!

 

[Cacique500]

I agree with raising the lip. I also have plastic tubs inside my nest boxes (think they are really kitty litter trays). The nice thing is if the tray gets popped in or some other mess I can quickly take it out, clean it, and put it back in. I *never* get cracked eggs with this system.

 

[M Scott]

Hey that's a great idea, I bet they wouldn't scratch so much out either. Thanks!

 

[FlyWheel]

Silly suggestion, but what about the "plastic grass" like they use on some door mats?

Or would they rip that apart?

 

[M Scott]

Idk. Doubt if they could tear it up but doesn't look too comfy.

 

[Chickadooo]

I started out with pine shavings in nesting box and the chickens kick most of it out. Put in natural laying mats with paper backing and they dig that all out of the way to lay eggs on wood. My eggs are getting cracked. What mats can I get that will stay in place and protect the eggs??? Thanks

I'm having the same problem here... Hens keep scratching out what I put in. Another member on here suggested folding up an old feed bag and laying it in the box and then the straw and chips.. I have yet to try this because I don't have any spare bags but next time I buy chicken feed I will give it a go. I've had to toss 2 eggs today! Cracked!!

 

[BrandonVercnocke]

I put the thickest cheapest fake grass that they sell at Home Depot. I had to buy a 12 foot strip of it but it works great. I cut it a little bigger than the space so it fits really snug. They haven’t scratched it out yet

 

[ShannonR]

A piece of rubber stall mat (or maybe a welcome mat) cut out to fit the bottom of the box may help

 

[Ridgerunner]

Cut a piece of cardboard to fit, at least as a temporary solution. Put bedding on top.

A lot of the time the reason they hit bottom is that your lip is not high enough so you can't put enough bedding in. It takes a certain amount to make a pad,especially with them scratching a nest in it. Or you don't add more bedding as it gets used. Their scratching when arranging the bedding can shred the bedding into a powder over time so it sometimes needs topping off. I hardly ever remove and replace my hay but I do top it off when necessary.

We have all kinds of different nests and arrangements. Any bedding material will work in some situations, for others we need to find another way.