Opening the nest boxes...

[tripletfeb]

My pullets are 14 weeks old. 2 EE and 3 SLW. I know I have awhile to go before they start laying but I'm wondering when I should open their nesting boxes for them? I have them closed off now so they don't poop or sleep in them. They love their roosting bars. When did you open your nesting boxes? Any problems with your girls pooping or sleeping in them?

 

[rosemarythyme]

If they're roosting reliably, you can open them up now if you want. I've never had a problem with chickens sleeping in or pooping in the boxes. Even with my current chicks, I didn't have to block access because there were always other places they'd rather sleep (the brooder, now the roost).

 

[aart]

Any problems with your girls pooping or sleeping in them?

Yep, have problems with the chicks every year.... sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes just a couple nights to break the habit, or rather stop it from becoming a habit...just cover them up an hour before roost time and uncover after dark when I lock up, but I made it easy with a hinged cover...during that year it took 8 weeks.