MagJo Aspen Nesting Pads for Chicken Coops, USA Grown Aspen Excelsior Nest Box Liners 13x13, 12 Pack Review (2026)

Who these nesting pads are for

MagJo sells these as 13 by 13 inch nest box liners made from USA grown aspen excelsior, packaged 12 to a set, which is a useful size for keepers who change pads on a regular schedule and do not want to reorder every few weeks. The 13 by 13 inch size is a common nest box dimension, so it fits many standard metal and plastic nest boxes without trimming. Choosing aspen over pine or cedar matters to some keepers because aspen is generally considered a gentler bedding option for birds than aromatic softwoods, though as with any bedding material, keepers should watch for signs of respiratory irritation and change bedding regularly for a clean, comfortable nest.

What the pads are made from

Excelsior is a fine wood fiber, and the aspen used here is grown and processed in the USA according to the brand. Each pad is a compressed mat of these fibers, generally backed by a layer of paper on one side that holds the shape together as a single sheet rather than loose material, which makes it far easier to lay a pad into a box than to spread loose shavings by hand. That backing is also what lets droppings and moisture pass through the fiber layer while keeping the pad's shape intact underneath the hen and any eggs she lays on it.

Living with them day to day

Dropping a fresh pad into a cleaned nest box takes seconds, which is the main appeal over loose bedding that needs fluffing and topping up. Because the pads are disposable rather than reusable, a flock of a dozen or more hens laying daily will go through a 12 pack faster than a smaller flock would, so budget for reordering more often if you keep many layers. Excelsior fiber can shed loose strands as hens scratch and settle into the nest, which tends to end up mixed into surrounding coop bedding, so a quick sweep around the nest boxes after changing pads keeps the whole coop looking tidy.

How it compares with other pad sizes

Against Nest Box Queen's 40 pack of the same 13 by 13 inch excelsior pad size, this MagJo 12 pack costs less upfront but means more frequent reordering for anyone running several nest boxes or a larger flock. If you already know you go through pads quickly, buying the larger pack size from a competing brand can work out cheaper per pad and save on shipping frequency, while a smaller pack like this one suits keepers testing pads for the first time or replacing them in only one or two boxes before committing to a much larger bulk order.

Verdict and who should buy a bigger pack

Keepers with one or two nest boxes who want an easy, mess-free liner without committing to a large bulk order will get good value here, matching our score of 8.6 out of 10 driven mainly by value and fit for the job. Larger flocks with several nest boxes going through pads weekly should compare the cost per pad against a 40 pack or similar bulk option instead, since the smaller 12 pack size here will need reordering more often as flock size and nest box count grow through the season and into the following year.

Frequently asked questions