When to introduce nest boxes?

[seafood]

Our chickens are going on 13 weeks. We have nest boxes already in the coop but currently covered with cardboard. Our neighbor keeps wanting me to take off the cardboard but I told him we are going to wait until they are closer to production age.

When is the right time to allow entry into the nest boxes?

 

[ibpboo]

I'm not positive, but now is ok to let them in nest boxes. My 3 month olds like to take naps in the hay on the barn floor and they also like to get into my silkies' nest box with her

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Our chicks still needed the heat lamp when we moved them to their new coop. The nest boxes were in place and open. I never had trouble with them. I would open the nest boxes so they can use them when they start laying. I have Black and Brown sex-links and they started laying at 15 weeks. Which is on the early side but, I found the eggs in the nest boxes.

 

[Finn]

I always leave mine open...if they can get into them they'll get used to the NEW area.