No one told me...

[analyticalblonde]

My girls are 16 weeks old. No eggs yet. I am wondering if I should put in the nest boxes now with some fake eggs, or wait until I actually find an egg in the coop or run? My nest boxes are removable, and I have not put them in the coop yet as I don't want the girls sleeping in them. Also, I have 10 birds all of different breeds, so I expect some will start laying before others. Any advice appreciated.

I put my sweeties outside into their coop/run at about 8 weeks old when the weather was more predictable...even Mother's Day around here can drop to mid-30s so I waited. I have 4 nesting boxes in my coop that I blocked off until they turned 16 weeks old. I read that if they get into them before they're ready, they will sleep and poop in them and not know it's for later when they start laying.

 

[Jamited]

Hopefully each egg will always be a wonderful surprise. Our bantam eggs are so tiny but the yolk is deep yellow and they taste delicious.