When should I unblock the nesting-boxes?

[cluckmecoop7]

Hi all members!

I have 6 chickens that are about 14 weeks. I have the nesting-boxes blocked up write now. I think I'm beginning to see some of my hens earlobes, comb, and wattles turning a deeper red. So I think they are close to laying their first eggs! So my question is:

When should I unblock the nesting-boxes??????? What if its to early and they do something else in it. (Well, they always use there perch at night.)

Thank you so much!

 

[igorsMistress]

How exciting! Those first eggs are always so fun to find. Honestly, I never blocked off the nest boxes. The girls roosted as they should so as long as you have oyster shell or layer feed ready for when they do lay you can do it now. They may begin inspecting them ahead of time to see which box appeals the most.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

How exciting! Those first eggs are always so fun to find. Honestly, I never blocked off the nest boxes. The girls roosted as they should so as long as you have oyster shell or layer feed ready for when they do lay you can do it now. They may begin inspecting them ahead of time to see which box appeals the most.

Thanks!

Ok, so your saying they know what the boxes are for? Also, do I need oyster shells even if I have layer feed? (Which I have right now.)

 

[Criticalicious]

14 weeks is too early to start laying, but the comb and waddles will continue to grow until one year old. What breeds are they? Laying isn't likely to start until more like 18 or 22 weeks. But to answer your question, if they are roosting on the bars every night, you can unblock the nest boxes at any time you like. The only reason to block them is to prevent little chicks from sleeping there.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

14 weeks is too early to start laying, but the comb and waddles will continue to grow until one year old. What breeds are they? Laying isn't likely to start until more like 18 or 22 weeks. But to answer your question, if they are roosting on the bars every night, you can unblock the nest boxes at any time you like. The only reason to block them is to prevent little chicks from sleeping there.

Thank you. But I recently was talking to a very experienced chicken owner and they said my chickens are going to start laying in about 3 weeks.

 

[Criticalicious]

Don't start giving layer feed until you start getting eggs. Oyster shell should be offered on the side a week or so before you expect eggs to start. You'll know they're going to start laying because they'll start investigating the nest boxes and rooting around in there.

They may or may not recognize what the nest boxes are for - it depends how comfortable they are and their location. Do they also free range or stay in a coop and run? Can you post pictures of your setup?

 

[Criticalicious]

14 + 3 = 17 weeks, close enough to 18 weeks. So the expert may be right. Nature has to take its course.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I have one more question members:

What should I put in the nesting-boxes? I want them to be comfortable for my hens.

 

[igorsMistress]

Thanks!

Ok, so your saying they know what the boxes are for? Also, do I need oyster shells even if I have layer feed? (Which I have right now.)

They'll be checking the boxes out because they like a protected place to lay and they'll be curious because they haven't had access before. You can put golf balls or fake eggs in them and they'll get the idea of where to lay.

I feed an all flock instead of layer so I'm not sure you'd need the extra calcium with what you're feeding. It's supposed to provide what calcium they need as I understand.

Don't be surprised if it's another couple of months before you get eggs though. My girls were about 6 months before they started laying.

My girls like timothy grass hay in their nesting boxes.

 

[Criticalicious]

At first I tried fake grass, looked great, nice and comfy. But my girls were scared of it, so out it came. Pine shavings work great, until one girl decided to kick them all out. So now I use a nest pad covered with pine shavings, so even if they scratch out the shavings, something is still on the bottom of the nest.