When to change diet?

[Wizbop]

My three RIR girls are 15 weeks old now. I am so excited about getting closer to egg-laying time.

Do I need to change their diet in any way PRIOR to that? Right now, they are still getting chick feed and BOSS (as treats). They do have grit available to them.

And, will I need to coop them in order to teach them to lay in the nesting box? Right now they free range all day in our backyard.

Thanks!

 

[Imp]

Quote:
You do not need to change their diet before they start laying. And it is OK to use up the chick feed.
Are they roosting in the coop? If they are, when they start laying open up the nests if they are closed off now.
You could put fake eggs in the nests to encourage them to use the nests.
I have not found it necessary to coop them to get them to lay in the nests.

Imp

 

[Wizbop]

Ours is a simple tractor coop w/ a roosting bar on one side and two nesting boxes on the other side. They sleep/roost on the one side and pretty much stay out of the nesting boxes. I only catch them up their in the inside area if it is raining and at nighttime. I guess I need to just wait and see. I just don't want to miss any of the action.