Opening laying boxes

[jgm0348]

I currently have my laying boxes blocked off from my chickens coop. At what point should I open the boxes?

Thanks in advance!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How old are your hens? Why did you block them off originally?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

As you start seeing signs they are approaching the point of lay (reddening of face/comb/wattles, submissive squat, etc) or even when you find that first egg are good times to open boxes previously kept closed.

 

[jane s chickens]

We miss u mare on that other thread.

 

[NewChickmom2016]

I opened mine up at around 15 weeks. Put 2 golf balls in each box. None of my 3 showed much interest in the boxes until they were ready to lay. First one was laid from the roost! She put the next one in the nesting box!