Country Lore: Nest-box Padding

I have always assumed that chickens lay their eggs while sitting.

One day when I was in the chicken coop, I thought one of my Rhode Island Reds was simply stretching and repositioning herself when she slowly stood up. I was surprised a few seconds later when an egg fell out and hit the bottom of the metal nest box with a sickening thud. After the chicken left, I checked the nest box, and sure enough, the egg was cracked.

I hadn’t put enough pine shavings into the box, and by the time the hens had finished rearranging the shavings, the metal floor was showing through. Now I make sure I have enough bedding, 3 to 4 inches, in the nest boxes.

Robin Arnold
Port Clinton, Ohio

  • Published on Mar 16, 2011
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