Just wanted to ask. I have spare nesting boxes. as mine can be removed from the cages would it be a good Idea to prep the spares and then when I go to clean the nesting box, move chicks into a new clean one and attach that to the cage that way I can give the other ones a good clean out. Then start again. Basically means that I will switch out each nesting box every two or three days for a new one if that makes sense.

 

Thought please.

 

Cheers

Edited July 17, 200816 yr by KAZ

Thanks Kaz great read. Just wanted to ask. I have spare nesting boxes. as mine can be removed from the cages would it be a good Idea to prep the spares and then when I go to clean the nesting box, move chicks into a new clean one and attach that to the cage that way I can give the other ones a good clean out. Then start again. Basically means that I will switch out each nesting box every two or three days for a new one if that makes sense.

 

Thought please.

 

Cheers

Depending on the hen, it may be too much disruption for the hen. She may notice the difference, or the time it takes to change them over may irritate her. Thats why a lot of breeder use the nestboxes with the pull out drawers, they just change the drawer section for a clean one. Some poeple make nestboxes with an icecream tub fitted into it and swap the tubs over also.

Hmmm like the idea of the tubs will have to see if I can find something that fits inside mine and try that.

 

Thanks

I did the total swap with one of my birds the other day. It was so messy there was no cleaning it, there was poo on the walls and everything! Whenn i checked on her half an hour later she had smashed 3 of her eggs i am glad there werent any babies in there that would have been horrible! So i would just stick with wood shavings once they are dirty do a changeover of the shavings only and you will be fine.

I did the total swap with one of my birds the other day. It was so messy there was no cleaning it, there was poo on the walls and everything! Whenn i checked on her half an hour later she had smashed 3 of her eggs i am glad there werent any babies in there that would have been horrible! So i would just stick with wood shavings once they are dirty do a changeover of the shavings only and you will be fine.

 

 

Oh that is horrible... where there goes that Idea out the window. Going to see if a friend of mine can make me tubs to fit inside my boxes that I can just pull out. and swap over.

Yes the ice cream container,is the way to go,put some pine shaving & extruded rice hulls cat litter.Some times some hens scratch it out, leave it out till they lay & sit,then put some more back in & they will happily sit & hatch.Once the chicks are about 10----12 days old change the ice cream container,with a fresh mix.

Edited July 17, 200816 yr by **Liv**

I don't need to do any of that ... I think i have toilet trained Hens LOL

 

Once babies are around 1 week old - I change the wood shavings every 2nd day - and once they are 4 - 5 weeks old it get done everyday... I haven't bought a nest box since I started ( apart from the one that had red mites) Still pretty well clean .... But once I am ready to put all hens up again I will give the bottoms a sanding

Edited July 17, 200816 yr by **Liv**

But once I am ready to put all hens up again I will give the bottoms a sanding

But wouldnt that hurt the hens, Neat

:hap: I clean my boxes the same as Neat - One hen last summer would take every poop out of the box on her own - she was amazing!!!

i use a false bottom made from timber that i replace when it is time to start cleaning as neat said just replace the false bottom and add shavings then clean the false bottom and can reuse it

Oh Kaz,

Yeah it hurts them But they are used to it now

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joking - Yes I sand the Bottoms of the NEST BOXES

Edited July 18, 200816 yr by Neat