/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Is it time to open up the nest boxes?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by Chemguy, Oct 28, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Oct 28, 2011 #1
    Chemguy

    Chemguy Chillin' With My Peeps

    681
    32
    131
    May 30, 2011
    Springfield, Ohio
    Hello! I've a small flock of BR and BO (4 each), and they're 14 weeks old. They've started developing wattles and combs, which seem to get redder every day. Whe I built their coop, I sealed off access to the nest boxes to prevent pooping, etc. It will be easy to 'unveil' the boxes. Given the signs I am seeing and the age of the chickens, is it time to start thinking about opening access? No squats or songs so far. Thanks in advance for your advice.
     
  3. Oct 28, 2011 #2
    cathyb68

    cathyb68 Out Of The Brooder

    19
    0
    22
    Oct 13, 2011
    I am new to chickens too. I would do it sooner rather than later. I wanted to build the nest boxes when we built the coop, my husband didn't. We just put their boxes in a few weeks ago and it kind of freaked them out. Better to do it now and let them get used to them. [​IMG]
     
  5. Oct 28, 2011 #3
    fshinggrl

    fshinggrl Chillin' With My Peeps

    2,615
    54
    248
    May 1, 2009
    the edge of insanity
    My chickens have always had access to the egg boxes. They generally do not stay in there and when the time was getting closer I put in hay... but it still took 2 more months to lay. 14 weeks is still pretty early if you are sure of their age.
     
  7. Oct 28, 2011 #4
    Fred's Hens

    Fred's Hens Chicken Obsessed Premium Member

    16,074
    1,988
    401
    Oct 14, 2010
    Up North when it's hot, Down South when it's not.
    14 weeks is likely a month early. Very, very few breeds lay before 19 weeks. The chances of learning a bad habit of sleeping in the boxes, with the attendant poop, is not too exciting to contemplate. Too soon.
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by