Nesting box/laying prep questions

[ladyhand]

I got four sapphire gems from TSC 14 weeks and 4 days ago, so I’m assuming they’re right around 15 weeks. One (pictures below) has by far the largest comb and wattles and I believe have turned that really vibrant red I have read precedes laying. I’ve never blocked off the nesting boxes because they have always roosted in their coop. How will they know that’s the best place to lay, and not under the coop or some random corner of the run? What do I need to do today to get the nesting boxes, and her, ready? I haven’t blocked off sections of it either, it’s just one large section.

 

[Coops Dad]

Put straw, hay or laying pads in the nest boxes. She probably will lay her first few eggs on the ground or in her coop but you can stack the odds in her favor of "getting the hint" by putting a couple of ceramic decoy eggs in one of the boxes. Hens seem to heavily use one or two of the 8 or so boxes we have, and it is usually the one with the most eggs in it that gets the attention. As an experiment, I put 4 eggs in an unpopular nest box before opening the coop one morning. At the end of the day, there were 11 in it.

Also, make sure you either feed a layer feed or all flock feed with a dish of ground oyster shell for them to pick at at-will. They need the extra calcium when they start to lay

 

[saysfaa]

I read that feral hens usually make themselves a nest under a bush. Think about what such a place is like... lower light, smallish/enclosed place, less busy than the main feeding areas or chicken pathways, soil or duff to hollow out, and so on. These are the things you will see listed as the goals for nest design and placement.

The hens don't have to have all these things to lay eggs (or even have any of them) but the more your nests provide at least some of them compared to any other place your hens can access, the more likely they are to lay in your nests. Maybe not every egg - sometimes the first egg surprises a pullet or the nest is occupied for too long or whatever.

People care more about the nests than chickens do, I think. Not that that has stopped me from spending far to much time thinking about it (mine are about the same stage as yours). All they want is a sheltered spot, preferably with some soft stuff under them.

The "eggs" already there help it feel safe - anything that feels like an egg under them. Dividers are optional (search "communal nests"). Best I can tell, more people dislike them than like them but some people like them very much. It might depend a lot on whether their particular hens like them or not... there are some reports itvis breed specific (only I haven't found which my breeds or yours like). Anyway, you could try them if you don't get the dividers done.

 

[aart]

I’ve never blocked off the nesting boxes because they have always roosted in their coop.

The nests are not in the coop?
Pics of them please?

 

[Kirkwooder]

Hens will only lay in daylight hours but like to lay in the darkest place they can find. Make your boxes the darkest place your hens can get to. Don't let the sun shine in the boxes or the hens will avoid them.

 

[ladyhand]

The nests are not in the coop?
Pics of them please?

They are in the coop. I’ve just read a lot of people saying you should block them off when they first go into the coop so they don’t start sleeping in there.

I’m not sure why two of them are standing up sleeping tonight. But the nesting boxes extend out under the windows in an “Amish” coop design.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Are the nests set up for use at all? A good cushion of nesting material of your choice (shavings, straw, sand, etc) and some fake eggs should help entice the birds to explore the nest boxes as they get closer to laying.

Hens will only lay in daylight hours but like to lay in the darkest place they can find. Make your boxes the darkest place your hens can get to. Don't let the sun shine in the boxes or the hens will avoid them.

Nah, they'll lay even in a sunny nest, as long as they know that's a secure, safe place to sit and use. I even cut windows in my old nest box to make it brighter.

 

[BecaHawaii]

I got four sapphire gems from TSC 14 weeks and 4 days ago, so I’m assuming they’re right around 15 weeks. One (pictures below) has by far the largest comb and wattles and I believe have turned that really vibrant red I have read precedes laying. I’ve never blocked off the nesting boxes because they have always roosted in their coop. How will they know that’s the best place to lay, and not under the coop or some random corner of the run? What do I need to do today to get the nesting boxes, and her, ready? I haven’t blocked off sections of it either, it’s just one large section.

My girls laid first in the coop. Then they figure out what's happening and want that nice fluffy area. They'll find it.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I got four sapphire gems from TSC 14 weeks and 4 days ago, so I’m assuming they’re right around 15 weeks. One (pictures below) has by far the largest comb and wattles and I believe have turned that really vibrant red I have read precedes laying. I’ve never blocked off the nesting boxes because they have always roosted in their coop. How will they know that’s the best place to lay, and not under the coop or some random corner of the run? What do I need to do today to get the nesting boxes, and her, ready? I haven’t blocked off sec

I unblocked my nests when my Pullets were 15 weeks old and put shavings and ceramic eggs in nests to make it enticing.

Most were curious when opened, but none went in.
I did see a pullet go inside about a week later, but no interest since.
At nearly 17 weeks old one of my Rhode Island Reds has a comb and wattles like your SG.
I have 4 RIR and 4 Barred Rocks.
I've never had RIR but I've read they can start to lay around 18 weeks.
My previous BR pullets started to lay at 20 weeks.
So I expect my first eggs in one to three weeks.
I don't know about Sapphire Gems, but I would expect an egg in a week or two from your pullet.
Don't be surprised to find an egg under roosts or outside coop in the open.
I put extra shavings under roosts around point of lay.

In my experience with 3 previous batches (5 to 7) chicks of the same breed/type. The time between first and last to lay can vary between 2.5 to 5 weeks.
Enjoy the anticipation this time brings.
I'm checking nests daily looking for activity, (shavings moved around).

Don't forget to put out a container of Oyster Shells.
Pullets get a craving for Calcium a couple of weeks before laying. I put out Oyster Shells when I opened nests.

GC

 

[saysfaa]

...Don't forget to put out a container of Oyster Shells.
Pullets get a craving for Calcium a couple of weeks before laying. ...

Thank you.