Nesting Box Question

[bigblueteach]

I currently have six 9 week old pullets, but planning ahead.

I have two nesting boxes in the coop but have them covered up so they can’t get into them and poop all over them. When do I need to make the nesting boxes available?

 

[nuthatched]

About 16 weeks.

 

[WingItRanch]

Agreed. Anytime after 15 weeks or you can wait until they start showing some signs they're close to Point of Lay. Bigger comb, reddening up.

 

[bigblueteach]

About 16 weeks.

Put some ceramic eggs in them?

 

[nuthatched]

Put some ceramic eggs in them?

Or golf balls, round rocks.
whatever is vaguely egg like

 

[rosemarythyme]

Or if they're roosting reliably already you can even open them now. I try to avoid covering nest boxes unless needed, I like giving the young birds ample time to explore the nests with fake eggs added in hopes that it encourages them to use them when the time comes.

 

[dearmeghann]

I'm the same as @rosemarythyme. If we notice the chicks wanting to get into the nesting boxes to sleep, we close it off for a bit. But if they're roosting, it's all open. I'm about to put some fake eggs in their coop shortly. We have two coops, so it'll be interesting if they have a preference for nesting boxes haha!