7 Best Cedar Nesting Pads For Natural Odor Control Old-Timers Swear By

You walk into the coop and that familiar, sharp ammonia smell hits you first. It’s a sign that moisture and waste are building up, creating an unhealthy environment for your hens. The right nesting material isn’t just about comfort; it’s your first line of defense for a clean, fresh, and healthy coop.

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The Old-Timer’s Secret to a Fresh Coop

There’s a reason seasoned farmers have been reaching for cedar for generations. It’s not just about the pleasant, woodsy smell that covers up less desirable coop odors. The natural oils in cedar are a powerful deterrent for mites, lice, and other pests that can plague a flock.

Cedar fibers also do an excellent job of wicking moisture away from the surface. This keeps eggs cleaner and, more importantly, discourages the growth of bacteria and mold in the nesting box. A dry nest is a healthy nest.

You might hear talk about cedar being bad for chickens. That concern is mostly about the fine, dusty particles in cedar shavings used for floor bedding, which can irritate a chicken’s sensitive respiratory system. Nesting pads are different. They are made of compressed fibers and larger strands that don’t create that airborne dust, making them a safe and effective choice for the nesting box.

Homestead Heritage: Top Traditional Choice

When you want a no-nonsense, reliable nesting pad, this is the one. Homestead Heritage pads feel like what you’d make yourself if you had the time—a sturdy, interwoven mat of natural wood fibers, with a healthy dose of cedar mixed in. They provide a solid, comfortable base that cradles eggs well.

These pads aren’t fancy. They don’t have paper backings or perfectly uniform shapes. But they are dense, absorbent, and hold up to a fair amount of scratching from a hen getting her nest just right. They simply work.

The tradeoff is a bit more mess when you change them out compared to paper-backed liners. Some fibers will inevitably get left behind. But for pure function and a traditional feel, they are the dependable workhorse of the nesting box world.

Ware Manufacturing Pads for Easy Cleanup

Time is the one thing no hobby farmer has in excess. Ware Manufacturing understands this, and their nesting pads are built for pure convenience. They are typically uniform in size and often feature a heavy-duty paper backing.

This design makes cleanup incredibly fast and clean. You just lift the entire soiled pad out in one piece, and the box underneath is left almost spotless. No scraping, no sweeping out little bits of debris. For a busy farmer, this can turn a tedious chore into a 30-second task.

The convenience comes at the cost of a less "natural" feel. The paper backing and uniform shape can seem a bit sterile compared to looser materials. But if your main goal is to minimize chore time while still getting the benefits of cedar, these are an unbeatable choice.

Precision Pet Excelsior: Most Absorbent

If you live in a damp climate or have a hen who’s prone to breaking eggs, moisture control is your top priority. Precision Pet’s excelsior pads, blended with aromatic cedar, are champions of absorbency. Excelsior is made of fine, curly strands of wood that create a lofty, breathable mat.

This structure is fantastic at wicking moisture down and away from the surface. A broken egg or a wet hen coming in from the rain won’t result in a soggy, bacteria-laden mess. The moisture is drawn into the pad, keeping the top layer dry for the next hen and preventing eggs from getting caked in filth.

Because they are so light and airy, these pads can be torn apart more easily by determined nesters. You might find yourself replacing them a bit more often. However, for preventing the problems that come with excess moisture, that’s a small price to pay.

Backyard Barn Liners: Strongest Aroma

Some coops just need a little extra help in the odor department. Backyard Barn Liners are known for their potent cedar aroma. When you open the package, the fresh, clean scent is immediately noticeable, and it does a fantastic job of neutralizing ammonia and other coop smells.

This strong scent is also a powerful message to pests. Mites and lice despise the aromatic oils in cedar, and a liner with a powerful fragrance creates a very uninvincing environment for them to set up shop. It’s a natural, chemical-free way to make your nesting boxes a no-go zone for bugs.

The only real downside is that the aroma might be too strong for some. If you or your hens are particularly sensitive to smells, a more subtle option might be better. But if you’re fighting a constant battle against coop odor, these liners provide the most aromatic punch.

Coop Fresh Pads: Ideal for Sensitive Hens

Not every chicken appreciates a strong perfume, even a natural one. For hens with respiratory sensitivities, or for a pullet laying her first eggs, a less overwhelming environment is often best. Coop Fresh pads strike a perfect balance, offering gentle odor control without an overpowering scent.

These pads often use a blend of materials, like aspen or hay, with a smaller percentage of cedar. This gives you the moisture-wicking and some of the pest-deterring benefits in a much milder package. They provide a soft, inviting nest that won’t irritate a sensitive hen.

You won’t get the same powerful odor-masking as you would from a pure cedar pad. This is a targeted solution. It’s for the flock owner who values hen comfort above all else and wants just enough natural help to keep the nests clean and fresh.

Red Feather Farm: Most Durable Nesting Pad

Every flock has that one hen—the one who isn’t happy until she’s completely redecorated the nesting box, scratching and digging until the bedding is in a pile in the corner. For these "enthusiastic" nesters, a durable pad is essential. Red Feather Farm pads are built to withstand this kind of treatment.

They are typically made from tightly compressed and interwoven fibers, creating a dense, tough mat that resists being shredded. This means the pad stays where it’s supposed to, providing a consistent, protective cushion for your eggs. You’ll replace them far less often, saving both time and money.

The dense construction means they aren’t as soft or pliable as some other options. They might not conform perfectly to a custom-built or oddly shaped nesting box. But for a standard box and a destructive hen, their durability is unmatched.

Happy Hen Treats: Excellent for Small Coops

Managing a small coop with just a handful of birds presents its own challenges. You don’t need giant, industrial-sized solutions. Happy Hen Treats often offers nesting pads that are perfectly scaled for the backyard chicken keeper.

Their pads are easy to handle and often come in smaller package counts, so you don’t have to store a massive supply. They fit well in the smaller nesting boxes typical of tractor coops or compact A-frames. It’s a practical, no-waste solution for the small-scale farmer.

While they provide good odor control and comfort, they may not be the most absorbent or the most durable option on the market. They are the all-around solid choice for a small flock, providing all the necessary benefits without any unnecessary excess.

Ultimately, the best nesting pad is the one that solves your specific problem, whether it’s moisture, pests, odor, or a hen who loves to redecorate. Pay attention to your coop’s conditions and your flock’s behavior. A little observation will tell you exactly which old-timer’s secret is the right one for you.