6 Chicken Coop Nesting Box Bedding Types Old Farmers Swear By

There’s nothing more frustrating than reaching into a nesting box and pulling out an egg caked in manure or, worse, finding a cracked shell leaking its contents into the bedding. This isn’t just bad luck; it’s often a sign that your nesting material isn’t doing its job. The right bedding is the unsung hero of the coop, responsible for clean eggs, comfortable hens, and a whole lot less work for you.

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Why the Right Nesting Material Matters for Hens

A hen’s instinct is to find a safe, private, and comfortable place to lay her egg. If the nesting box feels exposed, damp, or hard, she’ll start looking elsewhere. You might find eggs under a bush, in a corner of the run, or tucked behind the feeder.

The right material encourages hens to lay where you want them to. A deep, soft bed of bedding cushions the egg as it’s laid, dramatically reducing the chance of cracks. It also wicks away moisture and droppings, keeping the eggs cleaner and saving you the tedious task of scrubbing them before they hit your kitchen counter.

Ultimately, good nesting box management is about working with your chickens’ instincts, not against them. A happy hen in a cozy box lays a clean, intact egg. It’s that simple.

Pine Shavings: The Absorbent, Aromatic Classic

Pine shavings are the go-to for a reason. They are highly absorbent, quickly soaking up moisture from droppings and broken eggs, which helps keep the box and the eggs clean. The natural pine scent also acts as a decent deodorizer for the coop.

You can buy them in compressed bales at any farm supply store, making them affordable and easy to store. Just fluff them up and pile them deep in the boxes, at least four inches or so. Hens love to dig and arrange the shavings to create the perfect little nest cup for themselves.

The main drawback is dust. While much less dusty than options like sawdust, some brands can be a bit powdery, which isn’t ideal for respiratory health. They are also lightweight, so hens can easily kick them out of the box, meaning you’ll need to top them off regularly.

Chopped Straw: A Traditional, Low-Dust Option

Straw is what most people picture in a nesting box, and for good reason. It’s an excellent insulator, keeping eggs warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. It’s also a very low-dust material, making it a great choice for flocks (or keepers) with respiratory sensitivities.

The key is to use chopped straw, not long-strand straw. Long strands are difficult for hens to arrange and can get wrapped around their legs. Chopped straw is soft and malleable, allowing them to easily form a nest.

While straw is comfortable, it’s not nearly as absorbent as pine shavings. A broken egg will make a bigger mess, and moisture can get trapped underneath, leading to mold if not changed out promptly. It’s a classic choice that works well, but it requires a bit more vigilance.

Hemp Bedding: Superior Absorbency and Odor Control

Hemp bedding has become a popular premium option in recent years. Its absorbency is exceptional—far better than pine shavings or straw. This means it locks away moisture and odor very effectively, keeping your nesting boxes drier and fresher for longer.

Hemp is also naturally pest-resistant and low in dust, making it one of the healthiest choices for your flock’s respiratory systems. It composts beautifully, breaking down quickly in the garden pile.

The trade-off is simple: cost and availability. Hemp bedding is significantly more expensive than pine or straw, and you might not find it at your local feed store. For many small-scale farmers, the benefits don’t justify the higher price tag, but if you’re battling moisture issues or have a small, prized flock, it’s worth considering.

Shredded Paper: A Frugal and Dust-Free Choice

For a nearly free and completely dust-free option, look no further than your office shredder. Shredded paper, particularly unprinted cardboard or newspaper with soy-based ink, can make a soft and inviting nesting material. It’s a fantastic way to recycle waste from your home or office.

This is a choice for the diligent coop keeper. Shredded paper has very poor absorbency and mats down into a solid, soggy lump when it gets wet. This means you must be prepared to check the boxes daily and replace the bedding at the first sign of moisture or a broken egg.

It works best for small flocks where daily checks are easy. If you have a source of free, clean cardboard or paper, it’s an unbeatable budget option, but it demands more of your time to manage properly.

Dried Leaves: The Forager’s Free Bedding Solution

If you have deciduous trees on your property, you have a source of excellent, free nesting material every autumn. Shredded, dry leaves (oak, maple, and beech are great) provide a soft, natural, and insulating bed that hens readily accept. They love rustling around in them.

The most important word here is dry. Rake them on a sunny day and let them sit for a bit to ensure all moisture is gone before adding them to the coop. Wet leaves will quickly turn into a moldy, compacted mess.

Like shredded paper, leaves break down quickly and aren’t very absorbent, so they need to be replaced often. But you can’t beat the price, and they add wonderful organic matter to your compost pile when you’re done with them.

Reusable Nesting Pads for Easy Coop Cleaning

For those who prioritize speed and cleanliness, reusable nesting pads are a modern solution. Typically made from a durable, grass-like plastic or silicone, these pads fit snugly in the bottom of the nesting box. They provide a cushioned surface that protects eggs from breaking.

The biggest advantage is how easy they are to clean. When a pad gets dirty, you just pull it out, hose it off, let it dry, and put it back. This system discourages mites and lice from taking up residence in the bedding, as there’s nowhere for them to hide.

The downsides are upfront cost and hen acceptance. Some hens take to them immediately, while others are suspicious of the texture and may refuse to use them. It’s often best to introduce them with a light sprinkle of familiar bedding on top until the flock gets used to the new setup.

Bedding Materials to Avoid in Your Nesting Boxes

Choosing the right material is important, but knowing what to avoid is critical for your flock’s health and your egg quality. Some common materials are simply not suited for nesting boxes, despite what you might read online.

Here are the top offenders and why you should steer clear:

• Hay: Unlike straw (which is dried plant stalks), hay is dried grass and legumes. It holds moisture and molds very quickly, releasing spores that can cause respiratory illness in your hens.
• Cedar Shavings: While they smell wonderful, the aromatic oils (plicatic acid) in cedar can be toxic to chickens, causing severe respiratory irritation. Stick with pine or aspen shavings.
• Sand: Sand offers zero cushioning for eggs and doesn’t provide the soft, nest-like feel hens seek. It gets cold and damp in winter and can harbor bacteria if not kept perfectly clean.
• Sawdust: This fine dust is a major respiratory irritant for both you and your chickens. It can lead to serious health problems and should be avoided entirely inside the coop.

Ultimately, the best nesting box bedding is the one that works for your hens, your budget, and your schedule. Don’t be afraid to experiment with a few different options to see what your flock prefers. A little trial and error will lead you to the perfect solution for a steady supply of clean, perfect eggs.