Integrating new chicks/nesting boxes

[Broncos52]

This may have already been asked but i couldn't seem to find it. I have a group of chickens about 14 weeks and once that are around 4 weeks. Once the older hens start to lay i guess i should just open the nesting boxes? Seems like a stupid question but i just wanted to confirm thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Open them BEFORE they lay, so they have time to explore them and consider them for laying purposes. You don't want them to start laying and then have to break them of the habit of laying in the wrong spots. I would say 16-18 weeks should be the latest you should open them up, assuming they're all roosting reliably.