When to set up the nest boxes?

Date sort Score sort
ladynewtochicks

ladynewtochicks

Songster
Mar 21, 2016
249
23
101
Montana
I'm just curious when is the earliest you can expect them to lay? I currently have my nest boxes inaccessible in an effort to train them to sleep on the roost. When should I set it up and lower the ramp? I have a very mixed flock, 3-8 weeks old, EE BO SLW SS australorp, d'uccle, light brahma and cuckoo Marans...
 
Most Hens start laying around the 20 week mark. Depending on breed, time of year etc it could be up to 30 weeks. It also depends on the individual chicken. I had a buckeye that waited what seemed like forever before she started laying. I usual put the nest boxes out around 14
week mark so they can get used to them being in the coop and know they are there.
 
Some of my 1st gen hens layed their eggs as early as 16 wks, some 18 wks and the other almost nearly 22wks. I 2x @Chickenmanjim7 you can put up the nests @14 so they can get used to them and normally they start scouting nest spots when they are getting ready.
 
Ok thanks for the replies
1f60a.png
 
I am new to chickens and just setting up the Coop. They are about 2.5 months now. I've read that once the hen poops in the nesting box, they won't lay in it. I am using a pre-fab built coop and run from Tractor Supply. It has 3 nesting boxes. Do I block off the boxes to prevent pooping or sleeping in them or do I leave them set up? Do you need to train the pullets?

thanks!
 
hawcreek chicks said:
I am new to chickens and just setting up the Coop.  They are about 2.5 months now.  I've read that once the hen poops in the nesting box, they won't lay in it.  I am using a pre-fab built coop and run from Tractor Supply.  It has 3 nesting boxes.  Do I block off the boxes to prevent pooping or sleeping in them or do I leave them set up? Do you need to train the pullets?

thanks!
Click to expand...


To avoid poop in the nest you should block them off until they're 16-18 wks. It's not necessary that they will not lay if there's poop in the nests, they will lay in there, except you don't want dirty eggs and have a habit of sleeping in the nest.
Training is putting fake eggs in their boxes, you'll entice them but they will train themselves. I still have one hen that will only lay in the corner of the coop and she buries them all the time under the beddings.
 

Similar threads

V
Hen sleeping in nesting box
Replies
1
Views
928
Tonyroo
Tonyroo
C
    • Like
New hens sleeping in nesting boxes instead of roosting bars
Replies
3
Views
1K
AbbeLange
A
MAT10
    • Like
Salmon Faverol in nest box
Replies
8
Views
1K
MAT10
MAT10
Possum-Pie
Flock integration
Replies
5
Views
818
Possum-Pie
Possum-Pie
Phenix7d7d
    • Like
When is the best time to introduce the Nesting Box?
2
Replies
16
Views
2K
rosemarythyme
rosemarythyme

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom