The Low Down on Broody & Laying Hens: Nesting Areas #ad
by Christy Caplan
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August 29, 2018 If you care for chickens you have experienced “a broody hen” and probably like me, researched hundreds of forums about what to do and how to handle this situation. #ad
Our Rhode Island Red is VERY broody. I remove her from her box all day long. There are many techniques and this one honestly isn’t working great! I’m also showing her how awesome she has it as I add Scratch and Peck’s Organic Coop Confetti to the nesting box.
And as a new chicken keeper – there are many “coop” concerns that come up – over and over again. In addition to having a broody hen, I occasionally discover that my hens have laid eggs outside their nesting box, or in only one nesting box (even though I have five). Also, I found a bird mite on one of the eggs last month (quickly sprinkled more diatomaceous earth) which really put me over the edge.
Did you know that the number of eggs hens produce can be as high as 5-6 eggs per week during their prime laying years? They use these nesting boxes a lot. So I wanted to provide some ideas for how to make nesting boxes comfortable for your ladies – a nesting box and coop that isn’t ideal will impact egg production and also how your hens feel about their “house”.
Here are some general tips about nesting boxes that I’ve learned this past six months:
- I’m growing herbs, as I’ve read from many experts all the ways fresh herbs benefit chickens. My lavender is still blooming, but not enough to fill the nesting boxes, so I reviewed Organic Confetti Coop from Scratch and Peck – this product ROCKS. They partnered with Fresh Eggs Daily to bring the coop confetti to chicken keepers.
The confetti is a bouquet of aromatic, organic herbs, and edible flowers. Note that although this product is for nesting boxes and coop areas, they are safe if consumed. The herbs are Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. I sprinkle these onto the nesting bed material I use and throughout the coop. Everything smells MUCH better when I’m done. And it helps with pests like those mites I mentioned above.
The Organic Coop Confetti contains Organic Lemon Verbena, Organic Calendula, Organic Chamomile, Organic Echinacea, Organic Lavender, Organic Lemon Balm, Organic Spearmint, and Organic Rose Buds/Petals (see above pic).
Pic of the Organic Coop Confetti!
These are from my garden but I’ve barely been able to collect enough since I just planted this past summer.
- Your hens should have shiny, full feathers. If the feathers are falling off and the coop and boxes look like a feather explosion, don’t panic – they’re molting.
- What do you use for nesting bedding? What’s the litter for your birds? I love aspen wood shavings. I personally think wood shavings make it easier to clean up coop poop daily. There are many preferences. Straw just doesn’t work as well in our existing coop but we have a new coop (coming!) we just purchased and we’ll change things up…
- I use fake eggs to encourage my hens to lay eggs in a box and not in a “great” place on the ground in the barn somewhere. So I also clean daily and add Organic Coop Confetti daily to ensure the boxes are a sanctuary. If you scroll up to the top pic, that egg the hen is scooping up – is fake!
- Speaking of broody hens, she’s in her box (although I’m kicking her out to make sure she eats) all day so her box needs to be fresh and smell good – she agrees, take my word for it. This is a great reason to make sure the boxes are aromatic.
And if you need advice on the size your nesting boxes should be – visit this article written by one of my fave chicken experts, Fresh Eggs Daily.
#ad Disclaimer: This is sponsored. We received product in exchange for an honest review. I only share information about products that I believe in and already fit into our doggie & chicken lifestyle and routine.
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Another important note is healthy chickens are social and energetic. I can tell almost immediately when someone is under the weather. Watch your flock!
You’ve got some pretty good looking chickens there.
Thank you! They’re enjoying the cooler weather I think!
I have tried the coop confetti and loved it! We also use a special brand of lime in the coop to help with freshness and keeping insects out. The name is escaping me (First Friday maybe?) but I read about it on Fresh Eggs Daily I think.
We use straw as our bedding and have been pretty happy with that. We have 3 nesting boxes and one is usually favored. We have golf balls in the others. I read those would work and since the people who lived here before us were golfers, we find them all over the place; and they do work!
Our older girls are starting their first molt now. So far it’s not too dramatic and they are still laying some, but we’ll see how the whole thing goes! Hopefully our pullets will start laying soon to pick up some of the slack. They’re starting to show signs they’re getting ready!
Honestly – I’m so sad we don’t live closer. I was just looking at lime the other day – if you think it works I need to try it. Do you recall the brand you use or like a bunch? I think it’s funny when they sit on top of each other to lay in the same box! Golf balls are SO SMART. I cannot believe I went out and bought those fake eggs – thank you. Mine have now officially started laying a whole lot less. And to your point I’ll have to reply on the two chicks to get older as I think a few of my older hens may be done laying! That’s so cool your pullets are closer to laying – ! How are your Guinea Hens?
I was just looking at the bag of lime today, and it is “First Saturday”. I think it’s specially made for coops and such. Flies have been really bad in our area this year, but we haven’t had too many; so I do think it works.
I have a post update going up tomorrow, and one of the things I talked about was laying. I can remember last spring when we had so many eggs we didn’t know what to do with them; and now we can’t keep up with everyone that wants to buy them! There’s been a slow down even before molt. Of course, we lost 2 to the fox, but still….we think the heat this summer has been a factor, and maybe the stress of adding new birds. Or maybe the first year is just the best?? The guineas are doing well! The little ones are growing fast and we can’t wait until they are ready to join the big boys patrolling the yard. 🙂 And I agree….it would be so much fun if we lived closer!!!
Well, if I ever decide to raise chickens – which isn’t likely but ya never know – I’ll know where to go for for help and advice! You, Jan Keefe, and those websites you link to. But siriusly, you do have some good lookin’ chickens!
Thank you! I love reading Jan’s posts too – and you never know! I inherited these birds when we moved. Never in a billion years did I think I’d be a chicken keeper! Ha! Hope you are well.
Hi Christy, one of our ladies is brooding – she just does not want to leave her spot, even after we collect the eggs! It is always an adventure 🙂 This is Nicole in Portland (your dog sitter). Great to “see” you here!
Hi! You have chickens! This hen was SO broody – every day for ten days I moved her to the outside area and she would eat and drink and enjoy the sunshine and then jump back up so I’d do it again the next time I was in there – FINALLY she gave up 😉 How many hens do you have?! How FUN!!! Nice to see you!!
I am learning so much for your posts! I never new chickens liked lavender. I have never been successful growing lavender, but I love the idea of chickens sitting in lovely smelling lavender. The Coop Confetti is so pretty!
And lol, the fake eggs!
They really like herbs! I spread them out not only in the coop but also to nibble on and even the chicks check them out! Everything is free choice so I think they enjoy having those around in their “pecking” area! How funny is the whole fake egg thing? I wouldn’t have believed it myself!! 🙂