Do you really need to block the nesting boxes?

[Kolbeslayadayinn]

I've been seeing some people on social media say the boxes should be covered until close to laying age.
My dad who has raised chickens for 40+ years says this isn't necessary.

I've got my roost bars well above the nesting boxes


Thoughts * opinions?

Side note: I'm starting my flock with hatching eggs from various locations so have a good month or so to make changes if needed

 

[SilverBirds]

You do not need to block the boxes. I think the reason why people would block the nest boxes is so the chicks can't sleep in them, but for me that's not a big deal.

 

[fluffycrow]

The only reason to block out the nest boxes is if you don’t want your chickens sleeping, or pooping in them. If one makes it a habit of spot cleaning the nest boxes, the latter never becomes an issue

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you solve a problem that doesn't exist you are taking a chance at creating another problem. There are times when blocking the nests can be a good idea, but if you block them unnecessarily you take the chance of forcing them (pullets or existing laying hens) to learn to lay somewhere you don't want them to.

I never block mine. I have a mixed age flock where hens are laying when pullets are maturing enough to lay. I do not want to teach my hens to lay somewhere else on the small chance the pullets might sleep in the nests if I don't. If my pullets start sleeping in the nests I deal with that problem differently. That doesn't happen often.

I'll repeat, there are times blocking the nests might be a good idea but I try to not solve a problem that doesn't exist as I will probably create another problem.

 

[Kolbeslayadayinn]

Thank you. Those are along my thoughts as well

 

[aart]

I built in hinged covers for when chicks are not yet roosting.
I close them an hour before roosting time, then uncover after dark when I lock up.
It's very handy.

 

[Kolbeslayadayinn]

That's actually a great idea