The Poultry Keeper

HelenP · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144 Location: GLOUCESTERSHIRE

I've just bought a small bag (in case I got it wrong!) of straw from our local pets at home. It's sold as suitable for rabbits - dust extracted and short strands - will this be OK for using in nest boxes? Thanks.

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Hi Helen,
Yup, straw should be fine, although mine just pull it all out and throw it everywhere, so they just get wood shavings in the nest box instead now

Motherbird · Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 54 Location: Dorset

Yes, I tried straw, but I found that wood shavings made it easier to pick out droppings, so that the eggs are cleaner. You only have to replace the small amounts of shavings you would remove with the poo. The local farm shop sells dust free shavings, for horse bedding. The bales are about 1.5 m x .5 m x.5m for about £5.99 and much easier to store.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I think quite a few people use straw in the nest boxes and wood shavings in the coup.
The hens are funny when they're busy laying their eggs ~ they toss pieces of straw onto their backs. Why do they do that?

CP · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:06 pm Post subject:

I *think* it goes back in their ancestry to when they were wild. When nesting, they would try to camouflage themselves, so threw a few twigs/grass/straw etc on their backs. Wink

But I may be wrong - if anyone knows the real reason??? Confused

We use straw in the nestboxes & shavings in the coop. If you can buy it in a bale rather than from a pet shop it is so much cheaper, but it does mean you have to have somewhere dry to store it. Wink

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

...and it grows the minute you untie it!
Yes I think you're right cp ~ now you say about protection in the wild, I think I have read that ~ it's nice to watch them doing it

CP · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:11 pm Post subject:

Yes it's cute. Mine seem to do it more when they are broody too. Very Happy

HelenP · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144 Location: GLOUCESTERSHIRE

I'm getting quite excited about getting the birds now. Pity we have to wait until the weekend!!

mojo · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 5:35 pm Post subject:

quite right CP wild fowl out east do the same thing and then think you cant see them...........mojo

poultry poofs · Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject:

Only problem with straw is it harbours mites worse than any other material; yucky things Twisted Evil

rich

misskiwi · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 35 Location: BEDFORD

That is funny you say about the straw. I have got ex battery hens and on the 1st day one was tossing pieces of straw onto her back.

CP · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:17 pm Post subject:

That's quite normal behaviour misskiwi, lots of hens do that, mine included. Wink

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

I think the ex-battery girls may have been trying to hide ~ they must feel very insecure when they are first given their freedom

madslg · Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 298 Location: Farnham

i have never seen any of my girls do that! Will have to keep a careful eye on them now!

misskiwi · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 35 Location: BEDFORD

My ex-battery girls must be feeling braver today as they are coming out and walking about. I have put some shavings in their house and they have been having a good skrate about.