When should I open up nest boxes for hens?

[chipahoy4]

Need a little bit of help in this area. New to raising chickens. Have a nice coop built for them, and just finished building nest boxes. I have 2 RIR's, 2 white plymouth rocks, 2 black australorpes, 2 New Hampshire reds, and 2 barred rocks. They are a little over 19 weeks at this time. The question is: When should I open the nest boxes for them. I have a plastic mat on the bottom of each box, and have straw on top of that and also have 1 or 2 ceramic eggs on the straw. Should I open the boxes up for them now to get used to them or wait longer. Not sure what to do. Am appealing to all of you experienced chicken people, Thanks

 

[Joshua G]

Open them now, my hens started to lay at 18 weeks old.

 

[chipahoy4]

Thanks for the advice. I finished up the nest boxes, left for a couple of hours , came back and I got my first egg! That was close..

 

[Joshua G]

Congratulations on your first egg!