6 Best Chicken Coop Nesting Pads For Clean Eggs That Hens Actually Love
Clean eggs start in the nest box. We review the 6 best nesting pads that hens love, focusing on comfort, hygiene, and easy maintenance for you.
You reach into the nesting box, hoping for a perfect, warm egg, but instead you find a cracked, poop-smeared mess. It’s a frustratingly common part of keeping chickens, turning a simple pleasure into a cleaning chore. The right nesting box liner can make all the difference, but the choice between straw, shavings, and dedicated pads isn’t always obvious. Ultimately, the goal is a clean, unbroken egg, and a nesting pad is one of the most reliable tools to get you there.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Nesting Pads Matter for Clean, Unbroken Eggs
The primary job of a nesting box is to provide a safe, appealing place for a hen to lay. If the box is uncomfortable or dirty, she’ll find somewhere else—like a dusty corner of the coop or under a bush. Nesting pads create a consistently clean and cushioned surface that encourages hens to lay where you want them to.
Unlike loose bedding like straw or pine shavings, pads stay put. Hens love to scratch and rearrange their nests, often kicking all the bedding out of the box, leaving eggs to roll around on a hard wooden or plastic floor. A good pad provides a stable surface that cushions the egg upon landing and prevents it from cracking against the box or other eggs.
This stability also leads to cleaner eggs. Loose bedding gets soiled quickly and mixes with mud and manure tracked in on your hens’ feet. Pads create a barrier, and many are designed to let debris fall through or to wick moisture away from the surface. This means less time spent scrubbing eggs at the kitchen sink and a lower risk of bacteria contaminating your breakfast.
GrassWorx Nesting Pads: The Reusable Choice
Keep your chicken nesting boxes clean and eggs easily accessible with these 13" x 13" aspen excelsior pads. Made in the USA from sustainably sourced materials, these pads elevate eggs and allow droppings to filter away, promoting a drier, healthier environment.
If you value a one-time purchase that lasts for years, astroturf-style pads are the answer. GrassWorx is a common brand, but the concept is the same: a durable, plastic "grass" mat that provides cushioning and allows droppings and debris to fall through to the bottom. This keeps the laying surface remarkably clean.
The real benefit here is reusability. When a pad gets dirty, you simply take it out, shake it off, and hose it down. A quick scrub with some dish soap and a good rinse is all it takes to get it ready for use again. This approach dramatically reduces waste and eliminates the recurring cost of disposable bedding.
The tradeoff is the initial acceptance period. Some hens, accustomed to soft straw or shavings, might be hesitant about the plastic texture at first. You can ease the transition by sprinkling a little of their old bedding on top for a few days. Once they get used to it, they typically take to the pads without issue, but it requires a little patience.
Eaton Excelsior Pads: A Natural & Compostable Bed
For those who prefer a natural, single-use option, excelsior pads are the standard. Made from thin strands of aspen wood fibers, these pads provide excellent cushioning and have a soft, nest-like feel that hens instinctively love. They are highly absorbent, pulling moisture away from the egg and keeping the nest dry.
The biggest advantage is their convenience and disposability. When a pad is soiled, you just pull it out and toss it directly into the compost pile, where it will break down completely. There’s no washing, no scrubbing, and no plastic waste. A fresh, clean pad is ready to go in seconds.
Of course, this convenience comes at a cost. Because they are disposable, you’ll be buying them regularly, which adds up over time, especially with a larger flock. They also don’t last as long as a reusable pad; a particularly messy hen can soil one in just a few days, requiring frequent replacement to maintain a clean nesting environment.
Pet-Tek Washable Pads for Ultimate Coop Hygiene
Think of these as the high-tech solution for coop cleanliness. Pet-Tek and similar brands offer soft, absorbent, fabric-topped pads that feel more like a durable mat than traditional bedding. They are designed to be thrown directly into the washing machine, offering a level of sanitation that’s hard to beat.
These pads are fantastic for wicking away moisture from broken eggs or droppings, keeping the surface dry and comfortable for the next hen. Their soft texture is also highly appealing to most chickens, reducing the risk of them rejecting the nesting box. For anyone who prioritizes hygiene above all else, these are a top contender.
The main consideration is logistics. You absolutely need at least two sets of pads per nesting box—one in use while the other is in the wash. They also need to be dried thoroughly to prevent mildew. While incredibly effective, they introduce a new laundry task into your farm chore routine.
Hen Saver Cushioned Pads for Picky, Broody Hens
Some hens are just particular. Broody hens especially want a soft, dark, and exceptionally comfortable spot to sit. Hen Saver pads, often made with a soft fleece or felt-like material, cater directly to this instinct. They offer superior cushioning that can help prevent egg-eating by quickly hiding the egg in its soft fibers.
If you have a hen that consistently lays on the floor or seems to reject other nesting materials, a super-soft pad like this is often the solution. The extra comfort can be the deciding factor that makes the nesting box the most appealing spot in the coop. They are also a good choice for heavier breeds that might crack eggs on harder surfaces.
The downside is durability and cleaning. These softer materials can wear out more quickly than plastic or excelsior pads. They also tend to hold onto debris more than other types, requiring more frequent cleaning or replacement to keep them from becoming a source of bacteria.
Roosty’s Herbal Pads for a Fresh-Smelling Nest
Herbal nesting pads take the basic concept of a disposable liner and add a touch of aromatherapy. Brands like Roosty’s infuse their pads with a blend of dried herbs like lavender, mint, chamomile, and calendula. This creates a pleasant-smelling coop environment for you and a calming, appealing nest for your hens.
Beyond the nice scent, many of these herbs are traditionally thought to deter pests like mites and lice. While a pad alone won’t solve a major infestation, it can be part of a holistic pest-prevention strategy. Hens seem to genuinely enjoy the aromatic environment, which can encourage consistent use of the nesting boxes.
This is definitely a premium feature. Herbal pads cost more than their non-herbal counterparts, and the scent fades over time, necessitating regular replacement. They are a "nice-to-have" rather than a "must-have," but for flock owners who enjoy spoiling their birds and keeping the coop smelling fresh, they are a fantastic choice.
Backyard Barnyard Pads: The Bulk Disposable Pick
Sometimes, the best solution is the simplest and most cost-effective one. For those with larger flocks or anyone who prefers to change out nesting material very frequently, buying basic disposable pads in bulk is the most practical approach. These are often made of pressed paper fibers or similar simple materials.
There are no frills here. These pads do the job of cushioning the egg and absorbing minor moisture, and that’s it. Their key advantage is their low per-unit cost, which allows you to replace them every few days without feeling wasteful. This high-frequency replacement schedule ensures the nests stay exceptionally clean.
Don’t expect the same level of cushioning or moisture-wicking as the more premium options. They can become saturated from a single broken egg and will need to be replaced immediately. But for a straightforward, economical system focused on frequent, easy cleanouts, bulk disposable pads are hard to beat.
Tips for Introducing & Maintaining Nesting Pads
Getting your hens to accept a new nesting pad is usually straightforward, but a little strategy helps. The easiest trick is to place a small handful of their old bedding (like straw or shavings) on top of the new pad for the first few days. The familiar sight and smell will encourage them to hop in and give it a try.
Establish a routine for checking and cleaning your pads. For reusable pads, a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning is often sufficient, unless one gets particularly soiled. For disposable pads, check them daily and plan to replace them at least once a week, or immediately if an egg breaks on one. A clean nest is an inviting nest.
Pay attention to your flock’s behavior. If you find one hen is consistently avoiding a certain type of pad, try a different one in her favorite box. Sometimes it’s a matter of preference. Having a mix of pad types can be a great way to figure out what your specific flock loves most.
Ultimately, the best nesting pad is the one that your hens will use and that fits your budget and chore schedule. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a couple of different types to see what works for your coop. A small investment in the right pad pays off with every clean, perfect egg you collect.
