Precision Pet by Petmate Excelsior Nesting Pads Chicken Bedding - 13x13 Inches,10 Count (Pack of 1)
Score By Feature
OveReview Final Score
Product Description
Questions & Answers
The moisture from the hens falls through the shavings and is absorbed by a brown paper backing, which is how they are designed. Solid waste is also carried away by the shavings. You can shake the mat to get rid of the solids, but you'll need to replace the nesting pad eventually. Depending on my birds, I replace my nesting pads every 16 weeks to 18 weeks. I have 24 hens who use 7 nests, but because hens are picky about which nest they prefer, the nest pad is replaced every 8 weeks or so. The convenience, in my opinion, is well worth the price.
There are ten in each package. I'm a big fan of these nesting pads. They fit into standard nesting boxes perfectly. I went through a pack of ten fairly quickly until I trained my six chickens where to nest; now, I believe a pack of ten would last several months, if not a year. Of course, it depends on how many chickens/nesting boxes you have and whether or not you can train them not to poop in their nests.
They're made of a straw-like material that's tightly woven and backed with brown paper.
Excelsior is made up of thin soft wood shavings; I'm not sure about composting, but I do like how clean the eggs are. I replace them every 6 to 8 months, and my hens seem to enjoy them. Since some people compost the wood shavings they use on the floor of their coup, I assume you could compost these as well.
Selected User Reviews For Precision Pet by Petmate Excelsior Nesting Pads Chicken Bedding - 13x13 Inches,10 Count (Pack of 1)
Our hens hatched on alfalfa hay, coarse sand, shredded paper, and a variety of other materials. While we got along fine, we did have to deal with the odd broken egg that smeared yolk all over the other eggs, ants, or poopy eggs stuck with feathers and other ickiness on occasion. I just assumed it was part of the deal, but I finally gave in and ordered a pack of these, which I considered to be a ridiculously expensive indulgence. We are unable to function without them! Since then, every egg has been spotless, with not a single broken shell. It's incredible. I still think they're expensive and wish I could find them for less, but they're well worth the money, and we'll never be without them!.
Combine with 25 pound Standlee Hay Company Flock Fresh Premium Poultry Bedding. Every two months, I have a subscription to these. Keeps the nesting boxes in good shape! In this stressful time, I know many of you have children with fur, feathers, scales, shales, or hooves. I would advise you to use Amazon. Chicken scratch, mealy worms, organic pig pellets, organic goat pellets, organic alfalfa pellets, dog food, and a variety of other items are among the items I order on a regular basis. Larry and I have been Amazon Prime members since the beginning - I've kept it going, and I'll be renewing it in April. It is, without a doubt, one of the best investments I have ever made. Keep an eye out for potential threats.
I'm a big fan of these liners. They're a perfect fit for the plastic grey nest box, and they're simple to manipulate so hens can shape their nests. I have three boxes, and I probably replace a liner every other month or so (due to a smashed egg, filth, etc. ). (This is based on 30 hens in four boxes. ) Each pad would last a lot longer if there were fewer layers on it. ) However, even after the hens have rearranged them to their liking, they keep their shape fairly well. I can simply take them out of the box, give them a good shake, and place them back in the box clean. Unlike other bedding, which can stick to a newly laid egg, these liners provide a good cushion for the hens and eggs while remaining free of the bloom.
When I first saw these, I wasn't sure if they were any better than straw or shavings, but they are! The squares are adhered to a backing, ensuring that everything stays in place. My hens were initially wary, but now they adore it and are happily laying in the boxes once more. The material keeps the eggs, as well as the boxes, clean: Everything I have to say is positive! br>br>**edited** These have held up well, and I'm looking to replace them for the first time in August, so that's pretty good (10 months!).
So far, they've been fantastic! When they get poopy, I can take them out one at a time, shake off the loose poop, pull off the strands of any really soiled parts, toss it all in the compost, and replace the pad looking as good as new. I didn't want the dust from wood shavings in our kitchen because we were brooding. These are not only simple to use, but they also leave no dust, make very little mess, and have no stinky chick odor! Highly recommended and well worth the money!.
eggs that haven't been broken! I've had my hens for a little over a year, and until recently, we were using fine shavings in their nesting boxes. The shavings would be kicked out, and eggs would frequently be broken or covered in shavings, so the boxes would always be empty. I wasn't sure how my hens would react when I first placed these in the nesting boxes, but they initially tore some of the pads apart before stopping. The pads are much more effective than shavings at keeping the eggs safe. There will be no more broken eggs, and the eggs will be clean right out of the carton! I haven't had to replace them yet, but I expect it to be a simple task! It's no longer necessary to scoop shavings from each box!.
What a shame I didn't discover these earlier! We've had chickens for a long time and have always kept them in loose straw in their coops. br>We're down to one hen, who is getting a little spoiled as she gets older. When we first put the pad in her box, she was a little hesitant to step on it. She finally gave up after a few minutes of scratching and circling the pad and plopped down. She is now a huge fan. br>While our lady no longer lays eggs, these pads are soft and thick enough to support and protect a newly laid egg. br>These pads make cleaning out the box a breeze. One pad will last nearly a week if the solids are shaken off daily.
I thought these nesting pads were fantastic at first. My chickens, on the other hand, quickly discovered that the aspen is a favorite food of theirs. When the aspen fibers are removed from the nest pad, which happens frequently, they resemble long worms. Crop impaction resulted as a result of it. Also, the packaging isn't very appealing. Mine was not wrapped in plastic like the product photos, but rather stuffed into a box. A few of them were only a half-inch thick. This is not a good idea.
Related Products For Precision Pet by Petmate Excelsior Nesting Pads Chicken Bedding - 13x13 Inches,10 Count (Pack of 1)
