When should I introduce nesting boxes?

[Ruffian]

HI...this is my first year with my girls...2 Rhode Island Reds and 2 White Leghorns. They are about 3-1/2 months old now.
I don't have their nesting boxes in their house yet...when is a good time to put them in there? Don't want to put any pressure on them!
I plan to use 2 old wooden boxes that measure about 16" wide by about 13" and 7" high. I want to put chopped hay as a base and shavings on top of that. Should the boxes be elevated or can I put them on the floor?
Any advice is appreciated.
Thank you

 

[JennsPeeps]

Hi Ruffian,

You can put the nesting boxes in there any time you want. just make sure that the girls aren't sleeping in there. It's good for them to be used to the boxes being in there so that you don't freak them out when they come to point of lay.

Put the boxes in a location that will be easy for you to gather eggs but lower than their roosting bar(s). If that's on the floor, then that's where it is. Personally, I'd put them up off the floor so that I could easily gather the eggs.

 

[Mahonri]

18 weeks and what Jenn said.

 

[beginnerchick08]

They are supposed to start laying at 18weeks I put mine in at about 15 weeks. I hung mine on the wall but i read about people putting theirs on the floor so i dont think it matters.

 

[Jajika]

I have eight nesting boxes and I wish my chickens would use just one!!!

When they did, all of them decided only one would do and they would crowd each other out...it was a riot to see them sitting on top of each other.

Put them in, throw a couple of "nest eggs" in to encourage the idea. You know those wood, ceramic or golf balls that seem like eggs. It works.

Good luck

 

[cmom]

I put my nest boxes in when my pullets were 16 weeks. It was a good thing I did because I got my first egg at 17 weeks. I had another pullet from another hatch start laying at 17 weeks too. I also have golf ball in my nest boxes.