Best Nesting Pads for Nest Boxes
Updated How we research
A nest pad is the layer between a hen and a hard box floor, and it does more work than its price suggests. It cushions the egg as it drops, keeps loose bedding from being kicked out, and gives you a clean surface you can lift and replace in seconds. What varies is the material: pressed aspen excelsior, flexible rubber grids, and washable synthetic mats all behave differently once they are wet or soiled. We compared cushioning, how well each pad holds its shape under a heavy hen, and whether it can be hosed off or has to be thrown away. Excelsior pads suit keepers who prefer a disposable, compostable swap. Rubber grids suit anyone tired of buying replacements and willing to rinse them. Sizing matters more than anything, so measure your box floor before ordering a multi pack.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:MagJo Aspen Nesting Pads for Chicken Coops, USA Grown Aspen Excelsior Nest Box Liners 13x13, 12 Pack. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Nest Box Queen Excelsior Nest Box Pads for Hens, 13 Inch x 13 Inch, 40 Pack. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Pecking Order Nest Box Pads for Chicken Nesting Boxes, 13 x 13 Aspen Excelsior, 10 Pack. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Hen Comfort Nest Pads for Chicken Nesting Boxes, 13 x 13 Aspen Excelsior, 10 Pack. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
MagJo Aspen Nesting Pads for Chicken Coops, USA Grown Aspen Excelsior Nest Box Liners 13x13, 12 Pack
MagJo's USA grown aspen excelsior 13x13 nest box liners in a 12 Pack, giving two extra pads over typical 10 packs.
Our score8.6/10Budget
Nest Box Queen Excelsior Nest Box Pads for Hens, 13 Inch x 13 Inch, 40 Pack
Nest Box Queen's bulk 40 Pack of 13 Inch x 13 Inch excelsior nest box pads, for keepers with many nests to line.
Our score8.6/10Budget
#1MagJo Aspen Nesting Pads for Chicken Coops, USA Grown Aspen Excelsior Nest Box Liners 13x13, 12 Pack
MagJo's USA grown aspen excelsior 13x13 nest box liners in a 12 Pack, giving two extra pads over typical 10 packs.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 12 Pack gives more changes per order than common pad bundles
- + USA grown aspen offers a traceable natural liner material
- + 13x13 size drops into many standard nest boxes
- - Pads are disposable, so larger flocks will go through packs quickly
- - Excelsior can shed fibers that end up in coop bedding
#2Nest Box Queen's bulk 40 Pack of 13 Inch x 13 Inch excelsior nest box pads, for keepers with many nests to line.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 40 Pack covers a large flock or many months of pad changes
- + 13 Inch x 13 Inch size matches standard nesting boxes
- + Bulk quantity lowers the cost per pad compared with small packs
- - Large bundle needs dry storage so pads do not get damp or dusty
- - Too many pads for someone with just two or three nest boxes
#3Pecking Order's 13 x 13 aspen excelsior nest box pads in a 10 Pack, soft liners that fit standard nesting boxes.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 13 x 13 size fits many standard metal and wooden nest boxes
- + Aspen excelsior cushions eggs and helps prevent cracks
- + 10 Pack lets you swap in fresh pads as old ones get soiled
- - Pads may need trimming to fit smaller or odd-shaped nest boxes
- - Hens sometimes scratch excelsior apart, so pads wear over time
#4Hen Comfort's 13 x 13 aspen excelsior nest pads in a 10 Pack, cushioned liners that keep eggs clean.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Aspen excelsior is naturally soft and resists crumbling
- + 13 x 13 pads suit common nest box sizes out of the pack
- + 10 Pack keeps spares ready for when a hen breaks an egg
- - Newer brand, so consistency between pads is less proven
- - Pads can shift if hens scratch hard, leaving bare spots
#5Nest Box Queen excelsior poultry nest pads, made in USA and sold as a 10 Pack for lining nesting boxes.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Made in USA excelsior appeals to keepers who prefer domestic goods
- + 10 Pack gives several months of pad changes for a small flock
- + Excelsior liners stay in place better than loose straw
- - Check the pad dimensions match your nest box size
- - Soiled pads need replacing rather than washing, adding ongoing cost
#6Precision Pet's 13 x 13 premium nesting pads by Petmate in a 10 Pack, from a large pet supplies maker.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Petmate backing means wide store availability for reorders
- + 13 x 13 premium pads suit standard poultry nest boxes
- + 10 Pack keeps nest boxes lined for weeks of regular laying
- - Check the pad material before buying
- - Brand premium can make pads cost more than generic excelsior
#7Brillante's 10 Pack of natural aspen excelsior liners for chicken nest boxes, a simple clean nesting surface.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Natural aspen fibers form a springy bed that protects eggs
- + Liners reduce the mess of loose straw kicked out of nests
- + 10 Pack is a practical starting quantity for a backyard flock
- - Confirm the pad size fits your nest boxes before ordering
- - Lighter liners may slide around in slick plastic nest boxes
#8A 5 Pack of 13 x 13 sustainably sourced aspen excelsior nest box pads, a small trial pack for a few nests.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 6/10
- + 5 Pack is a low-commitment way to test pads in your nest boxes
- + Sustainably sourced aspen suits eco-conscious chicken keepers
- + 13 x 13 size fits common nesting box floors
- - Only five pads, so larger flocks will need to reorder soon
- - Smaller packs cost more per pad than bulk bundles
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Pads are disposable, so larger flocks will go through packs quickly (MagJo Aspen Nesting Pads for Chicken Coops,...)
- Large bundle needs dry storage so pads do not get damp or dusty (Nest Box Queen Excelsior Nest Box Pads for...)
- Pads may need trimming to fit smaller or odd-shaped nest boxes (Pecking Order Nest Box Pads for Chicken...)
- Newer brand, so consistency between pads is less proven (Hen Comfort Nest Pads for Chicken Nesting...)
- Check the pad dimensions match your nest box size (Nest Box Queen Excelsior Poultry Nest Pads,...)
- Check the pad material before buying (Precision Pet Chicken Nesting Pads by...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among nesting pads for nest boxes?
MagJo Aspen Nesting Pads for Chicken Coops, USA Grown Aspen Excelsior Nest Box Liners 13x13, 12 Pack is our top overall pick. MagJo's USA grown aspen excelsior 13x13 nest box liners in a 12 Pack, giving two extra pads over typical 10 packs. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Nest Box Queen Excelsior Nest Box Pads for Hens, 13 Inch x 13 Inch, 40 Pack is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Nest Box Queen's bulk 40 Pack of 13 Inch x 13 Inch excelsior nest box pads, for keepers with many nests to line.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Chicken Coop Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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