When should I put up nest boxes?

[TexGardenGirl]

I've been reading all over here (and a little elsewhere) trying to figure this out; I figured I can't be the first person with this question... but I guess my chickens must be unique...

Here's the story: We built the coop with one large community nest box, we were planning on 6-8 hens. Well, we wound up with 10, maybe 11 (one packing peanut looks like it may be a hen after all). They are 15 weeks today. The box was pretty big so we were going to try it with just that.

We didn't think to keep them out of the nest box as youngsters, so they started roosting in there, and pooping, etc... And it had a flat top so they really liked roosting up there. We tried and tried moving them to their roosts every night but they didn't get it. So, we decided to remove that box and just order some pre-made nest boxes. They are now finally mostly getting the hang of the roosts, but a few still try to perch anywhere else they can think of - even outside the coop on top of their food trash-can! (we have electric net fence so they should be safe)

We got 4, they're stacked 2 on top of the other (looked like a pretty standard setup). But, we're afraid to put it in before they start laying because they seem to want to roost anywhere but the roost bars. On the other hand, I don't want to wait until after they start laying because who knows where they'll lay? They have a big pen with quite a bit of tall grass/weeds and an egg could easily go unnoticed for quite awhile, and then they'd also have to be retrained to use the boxes.

I've also had a remarkably hard time finding out when to expect them to start laying, but it seems like 18 weeks is reasonable? But I've seen some people say theirs started as early as 14 weeks, which we're already past, plus they're maturing in increasing daylight (which apparently can cause them to start earlier) so I don't know what to do!

It feels like we're in a catch-22, any advice??? Thanks!!

ETA: they have two roost poles, about 3' and 4' off the ground. We also have a dozen fake eggs to let them know it's a nest box. But will it mean anything to them before they're old enough to lay? And will the roosters know to stay out if there's an egg there?

 

[joedie]

I don't know if this is much help b/c I'm pretty new to this also. My roosts are like a ladder with 5 rungs of 2x4's and go up the wall about 7 ft. All of the chickens perch on the top 2 rungs only. Maybe it's not high enough for them to feel secure on the lower perches. The rule of thumb is usually 1 nesting box per 4 birds. If the top is flat, they will roost on them, that's why they're usually made with a sloped top - to keep them off.
I would just keep the nesting boxes in there with the fake eggs in them. I think they usually lay around 20-26 wks. Hope this helps.

 

[TexGardenGirl]

joedie, thanks for the reply! I sometimes fear that my posts don't even get seen just because this forum has so many participants. Thanks for bumping this back up.

I never thought about the lower perch being too low. It is actually a little higher than the stud bracing pieces of wood that they try to use instead, and about the same height as the small table space (just big enough for 3 gallon jugs of water that I always keep there now) that they use if they can. Their other alternative is just outside the coop on top of the trashcan I keep the feed in. But maybe they're more secure on those just because they're sturdier (I may have forgotten to mention that the perches hang by wires, so they swing when the birds land on them). But raising a perch wouldn't be a difficult experiment so maybe I'll try... Out of the 13 that are in the main flock (we have some future dinner guests in cages) usually 9-10 will get on the perch fine on their own. They do all crowd onto the higher perch if they can, and it's warm enough here now even at night that I don't think they're trying to stay warm! So maybe you're on to something. Thanks!

Anybody else with more experiences have any feedback at all?

 

[lelisabeth]

I'm a newbie too, so I don't know much, but I have experimented. I have found that they like STURDY roosts, and WIDER roosts. They didn't like my 1.5" round branch at all. They now use it only to jump to the 2x4 laid flat. They like to roost on the 2x4 because they can sit on their feet. Also, the branch sometimes would move when they jumped up on it, and they didn't like that.

A picture of when I only had the branch, and other people's ideas:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=183159

 

[consdrs]

Quote:
I think your previous nest box would have been fine. I am going to go with the community nest box in my new coop. put the nest lower than the lowest roost and cover it up till you see an egg. you'll know they are about to start to lay. they have funny crouching behaviour when they are maturing to that point. then put a fake egg in the nest. if you have a flat topped nest box put a slanting board on the top to discourage that behavior. I would make sure they are all securely locked in their coop every night. then they won't roost outside, very dangerous. Just put them up on the roost a few nights after dark and they will get the hang of it.

Connie

 

[stormylady]

As far as the roost poles go, I heard to use a 2x2 inch pole for the girls, turns out only the tiny babies like them all of the adult-ish girls like the 2x4s. None of my chicks are laying yet at 171/2 weeks but the golden sexlink is getting close I think. Last week she just barely had a comb and wattles and her face was just peachy this week her comb and wattles are huge and her face is very red, hope that means she is close? I haven't noticed her squating yet, what is the squat exactly is it something they do when the boys are around? Or is it like they are sitting there trying to pass something ?
Thanks Sandy

 

[consdrs]

you'll know the "squat" when you see it. kind of swoop down on them like you are going to pet them and if they are getting close you will know what I'm talking about.

Connie

 

[wefroggy]

Those of you using the 2x4's are they set so they are gripping the 2 side or the 4 side?
I am thinking of changing mine, because most of the chickens still hang out on the floor under the few who do roost. I am thinking that if I change the roost, then more would join the group up top.

 

[lelisabeth]

Quote:
They grip the 4 side. Idea is if they like roosting on top of the unslanted nest boxes, they light wider, flat surfaces. I've found this to be true.

 

[stormylady]

Mine all lay on the 4inch flat side, more room to balance I guess. but Im going to change most my 2x2s out for the 2x4s too. and leave a couple of the little ones for the very young chicks.