Hope this is posted in the correct forum... And I tried to search existing posts for this topic. If I am repeating, please forgive my naivete....
I have a small flock of mixed breeds, and I am a newbie who is on a learning curve - big time! I have one of each: standard Cochin, Buff Brahma, Buff Orpington, Barred Plymouth Rock. They are still young (only 11 weeks), but I am trying to learn before the time comes.
They already sleep on a roost nightly, but I don't want to put in nesting boxes too early and run the risk of them roosting in the nesting boxes instead. My roost will be higher than the nesting boxes, of course. From what I have read, it seems as though my BPR likely will lay much much sooner than my larger girls, as soon as 16-20 weeks, Orps and Cochins at 6 months at the earliest, and Brahmas even later. To add to my uncertainty, I think my BPR, Zinnia, is older than my other girls. All four were ordered from a hatchery, but when they arrived Zinnia was far more developed than the others.
So, experts: When should I put in the nesting boxes? Would I be inviting problems putting them in in December (Zinnia will be 20 weeks on Christmas Day, if she is as old as the hatchery led me to believe). What are your recommendations?
Thanks in advance!
I have a small flock of mixed breeds, and I am a newbie who is on a learning curve - big time! I have one of each: standard Cochin, Buff Brahma, Buff Orpington, Barred Plymouth Rock. They are still young (only 11 weeks), but I am trying to learn before the time comes.
They already sleep on a roost nightly, but I don't want to put in nesting boxes too early and run the risk of them roosting in the nesting boxes instead. My roost will be higher than the nesting boxes, of course. From what I have read, it seems as though my BPR likely will lay much much sooner than my larger girls, as soon as 16-20 weeks, Orps and Cochins at 6 months at the earliest, and Brahmas even later. To add to my uncertainty, I think my BPR, Zinnia, is older than my other girls. All four were ordered from a hatchery, but when they arrived Zinnia was far more developed than the others.
So, experts: When should I put in the nesting boxes? Would I be inviting problems putting them in in December (Zinnia will be 20 weeks on Christmas Day, if she is as old as the hatchery led me to believe). What are your recommendations?
Thanks in advance!