Nesting boxes

[Michaelamarie]

I have 3 questions:
1-my chickens are 12 weeks old, is it too early to install my boxes?
2- what’s the best spot in the coop for nesting boxes? High? Low? Near roosting or further away?
3: my chickens free range during the daytime, will they return to the coop to lay?
TIA

 

[Blue Raptor]

I have 3 questions:
1-my chickens are 12 weeks old, is it too early to install my boxes?
2- what’s the best spot in the coop for nesting boxes? High? Low? Near roosting or further away?
3: my chickens free range during the daytime, will they return to the coop to lay?
TIA

1 They start laying at 6 months.
2 The nesting boxes should be decently high, but lower than the roost, or they’ll sleep and poop in the boxes.
3 If you put decoy eggs (wood or plastic) it will encourage laying, and they will come in at any time of the day to lay.
Hope this helps!

 

[Pork Pie]

From my experience, they will return to lay, no worries - assuming space, privacy and the flock being generally “happy“ with coop / nesting box set-up, among additional variables being in place.

 

[rosemarythyme]

1. Now is fine to install boxes, better to install them earlier vs later so they have a chance to explore them and so they don't get in the habit of laying elsewhere first.

2. Wherever it's convenient for you in your set up. Mine are on the floor for super easy chicken access, and for my convenience the lid is hinged and lifts up. Downside of my set up is the boxes eat up floor space (but I calculated that in when I designed the coop).

 

[3KillerBs]

My back requires that I mount my nests no lower than my waist height so that I don't have to bend down to the floor to pick up eggs. Just keep them lower than the roosts.

I like outside access so that I can get eggs when just passing by in my regular shoes instead of having to change into the muck boots.