When is a good time open nest boxes

[mdpfeifer]

Hi,

I have 4 pullets...2 buff orpingtons, one light brahma, and and easteregger that are all just about 12 weeks old. I am totally new at this and so far have really learned alot from this forum. A big thanks to everyone out there

I currently have my next boxes boarded up (just wanted to make sure my chickies were totally used to their roost...which they are) and now I am wondering when a good time would be to expose them to the nest boxes. Should I wait until they are closer to 15 or 16 weeks or does it really matter? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GwenDellAnno]

I think I'd wait as you suggested. The negative thing about having them open is that someone may just decide to roost in there at night. Then they get dirty (chickens poop when they're roosting at night) and then you get dirty eggs. If you leave them until they're ready to lay (18 weeks or so) then you'll be sure they prefer to use the roost at night. You'll likely be able to tell when they're getting ready to lay as their combs will go redder.

 

[WilczenskiFarm]

Agreed...
We waited until week 18 with great results! Everyone was curious, but never roosted in there. When they started squatting for me, I placed wooden eggs in the nesting boxes. Two eggs were laid outside the boxes, then the third started the trend... no problems since.

 

[beachchickie]

Ditto,too much poo in the nest box if you go too soon

 

[Ridgerunner]

I disagree with 18 weeks. I suggest 15 to 16 weeks.

1. Some chickens lay as early as 16 weeks. It is not normal but it is possible. I've had them do it. You want that first egg to be in the nest. They are creatures of habit. If they get used to laying somewhere other than the nest, it can be a hard habit to break.

2. If they are going to roost in the nest boxes when you open them up, you need to know before they start to lay so you have time to correct the problem before you get poopy eggs.

3. They will normally play in the nest boxes before they start laying. If your construction is not good, say they can scratch the nesting material and fake egg out because your lip is not high enough, it would be nice to know so you can correct the problem before they are kicking eggs out of the nest.

 

[GermanChick]

We opened ours when the girls where 16 weeks....... in hope we would have an "early bloomer"

But no eggs until 20 weeks. They never roosted in the nesting boxes and all but one get it that eggs go in there. I have on that insist to use the poop board as her perfect nest

 

[Mahonri]

With my first group two years ago, I opened the boxes at the beginning of week 19 and got my first egg on the day they turned 20 weeks.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I opened mine at about 16 weeks, but left a "curtain" (an old T shirt with a slit up the middle) over it. They didn't discover it until they were looking around for places that might be appropriate...probably about 2 weeks before the first one laid. Nobody pooped in there.

 

[mdpfeifer]

Thanks so much for all your replies

It really helps alot.

 

[MakNugget]

Mine have always been open with no problems. Girls are at 20 weeks and have ignored the nest boxes until about two weeks ago, trying each one out. I suppose it might depend on the size of the coop. I didn't want it to take up real estate in the coop so mine is raised and juts out one side. I have the bedding prepared plus golf ball in each just in case they feel like its time.