Opening nesting boxes for multiple breeds

[LSparks]

I currently have 6 chicks currently: 4 Orpingtons and 2 Barred Rocks. From what I've seen online the Barred Rocks typically start laying around 16-20 weeks old, but the Orpingtons tend to lay around 24 weeks. I read that you aren't supposed to open the nesting boxes in the coop too early while the hens don't have the instinct to lay, but my issue is that 2 of my birds are supposed to lay much early than the others.

What would you recommend for the timing of opening up the nesting boxes?

My thought is to open them up for the Barred Rocks and hope the Orpingtons don't make bad habits, but this is just a wild guess.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Your BR's may begin to lay at 16-20wks, where did they come from - did the breeder indicate they will lay that early? Just curious.

I believe 26 weeks was the earliest any of my BR's began to lay, but every bird is different.
Orpingtons for me it was 28-30 weeks. Again - not every bird is the same even within the same hatch.

You can watch your pullets, it's hard to describe, but they do start acting a bit "different" when they are coming into lay. You can also do a vent check to see where they are as well.

I never really had a problem with birds wanting to sleep in boxes, but my first group I believe I blocked off the boxes until about 16-18 weeks. Placed some ceramic eggs in the boxes, etc. You may find your birds want to "nest" somewhere else as well. I have a couple that like to lay under the boxes and 1 that is adamant about laying her egg in the far corner of the coop. I find this is no big deal, chickens have their own ideas of what they like.
Once all birds are roosting well, personally I don't see where they would change their habit from roosting to sleeping in boxes (unless one is sick or broody).

That's been my experience anyway.

 

[rosemarythyme]

IMO you want to open up nests in advance of laying (so 15 week mark) so that gives the new layers a chance to explore the boxes, and also lets you know if any of them are thinking of sleeping in them, so you can deal with it before it becomes a regular habit.

Generally if they're all roosting readily you shouldn't have an issue with them suddenly switching to nest boxes.

 

[LSparks]

Your BR's may begin to lay at 16-20wks, where did they come from - did the breeder indicate they will lay that early? Just curious.

I believe 26 weeks was the earliest any of my BR's began to lay, but every bird is different.
Orpingtons for me it was 28-30 weeks. Again - not every bird is the same even within the same hatch.

You can watch your pullets, it's hard to describe, but they do start acting a bit "different" when they are coming into lay. You can also do a vent check to see where they are as well.

I never really had a problem with birds wanting to sleep in boxes, but my first group I believe I blocked off the boxes until about 16-18 weeks. Placed some ceramic eggs in the boxes, etc. You may find your birds want to "nest" somewhere else as well. I have a couple that like to lay under the boxes and 1 that is adamant about laying her egg in the far corner of the coop. I find this is no big deal, chickens have their own ideas of what they like.
Once all birds are roosting well, personally I don't see where they would change their habit from roosting to sleeping in boxes (unless one is sick or broody).

That's been my experience anyway.

Info just came from a quick internet search

It sounds like even with conflicting information the timeline that I had originally planned would work, I just may or may not end up waiting for eggs

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Info just came from a quick internet search

It sounds like even with conflicting information the timeline that I had originally planned would work, I just may or may not end up waiting for eggs

Oh, sometimes it seems like forever waiting on those first eggs LOL

 

[LSparks]

Oh, sometimes it seems like forever waiting on those first eggs LOL

I can only imagine! Time will tell haha

 

[aart]

IMO you want to open up nests in advance of laying (so 15 week mark) so that gives the new layers a chance to explore the boxes, and also lets you know if any of them are thinking of sleeping in them, so you can deal with it before it becomes a regular habit.

Generally if they're all roosting readily you shouldn't have an issue with them suddenly switching to nest boxes.

Ditto Dat^^^

Roosts should be higher than the nests.