When to open nesting box for new layers

[Lcosta2]

My chickens are 17 weeks old and I have a few that have bright red combs and "scream" at me every time I come near them. I believe they are about ready to start laying. I currently have there nesting boxes covered in the coop because they were sleeping in them and scratching the bedding out. Is this a good time to open up the boxes? I also have a few ceramic eggs I'm going to add to the box

 

[azygous]

Yes, open up the nests, at least during the day. Expect some mess making as they play "house", learning and becoming familiar with the nests.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

My chickens are 17 weeks old and I have a few that have bright red combs and "scream" at me every time I come near them. I believe they are about ready to start laying. I currently have there nesting boxes covered in the coop because they were sleeping in them and scratching the bedding out. Is this a good time to open up the boxes? I also have a few ceramic eggs I'm going to add to the box

I had this exact issue! If you compress their bedding they like it a lot better and tend to not throw things around. Doesn't prevent them from not scratching, but I lay a paper towel at the bottom of their bedding (for ease of cleaning) and it's surviving great instead of getting torn to shreds and pulled out like it used to.