Nesting Boxes?

[Docpetey]

I have read with enjoyment as I started my journey to raising chickens, but now have been trying to figure out when i should open up the nesting boxes. I bought a coop that has the nesting boxes at the same height as the roost with two roosting bars over a pull out draw, but not elevated much off the draw. To keep the chickens out of the nesting boxes I removed the slates between them and put boxes in their place. Of course the chickens sleep and poop on the boxes since they are much higher than the roosting bars. They are now about 13 weeks old. If i place the slates in and make nest will they sleep in the roost? and should I wait until they are 16 weeks old?Thanks Mark

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC! @Docpetey
This is a great mod for those tiny coops with low roosts.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ng-in-nest-boxes.1134399/page-2#post-17749535