When should I allow them to access the nesting boxes?

[SoORchick73]

We moved the girls out to their coop a week ago and theyve adjusted nicely...they are 7 weeks old. I read somewhere here on BYC to block off the nesting boxes so they dont get in the habit of sleeping and pooping in them. When should I unblock them? We have a board screwed to the wall covering them right now. Thanks.

 

[chicksntexas]

Good question! I'm curious about this too!

 

[snazzyboots]

me too. i'd like to know

 

[Melissa2173]

X3! I'm moving my girls in this weekend. Anyone?

 

[Opa]

I normally open the nests at about 20 weeks. Most of the birds I've had started laying at about 24 weeks. If you start much earlier they often get in the habit of sleeping in the nest boxes. You might even want to close the nests at night to prevent this habit from developing.

 

[Melissa2173]

Quote:
Hey Opa,
I'm very new at this so hope this isn't too silly of a question! When do they typically lay? Is it any time of day? Just curious because if you close up the boxes at night, is there a chance of them laying somewhere else in the coop? Thanks!

 

[Opa]

Typically most birds will lay in the morning. However, I have two hens that never lay until after 4pm. I gather eggs about 6pm and have never discovered any eggs after that time.

 

[BoltonChicken]

At four weeks my 5 BO chicks had taken to sleeping in nesting boxes, so I closed them off with cardboard. I am thinking of making
squares of plywood so that I can block them off as needed in the future.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Somewhere in the 18-20 week range just before I expect them to begin laying. Maybe a bit earlier if they're Leghorns who often start before other breeds.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I opened mine around 16 weeks, that way if you have an early layer, they have time to practice. Mine usually in the morning, but occasionally will have a straggler that lays around 4:30 in the afternoon. Nobody lays after that.