When to open nests

[sarastamand]

Ive got eight 14 week old pullets (hopefully!) and obviously they should start laying within the next month. My question is, when do we open their nesting boxes to encourage them to lay their eggs there instead of all over the yard (completely free rangers)? We have them blocked off with plywood for the time being. Any tips to teach them or do they just figure it out?

 

[DobieLover]

Ive got eight 14 week old pullets (hopefully!) and obviously they should start laying within the next month. My question is, when do we open their nesting boxes to encourage them to lay their eggs there instead of all over the yard (completely free rangers)? We have them blocked off with plywood for the time being. Any tips to teach them or do they just figure it out?

Are they roosting reliably? If they are, open them now.

 

[The Phantom]

You can open them any time. Fake eggs or golf balls work

 

[Shadrach]

Now, or preferably earlier.
If they are free range they'll lay some outside; get used to nest hunting.

 

[aart]

Any tips to teach them or do they just figure it out?

Open them up add some fake eggs.
Hopefully they will still roost instead of sleeping in nests,
might need some training and best to do that before eggs come.

 

[sarastamand]

Now, or preferably earlier.
If they are free range they'll lay some outside; get used to nest hunting.

They like to clear areas and make what we call “dirt beds”. Is that them nesting?

 

[DobieLover]

They like to clear areas and make what we call “dirt beds”. Is that them nesting?

No. That is a dust bath.
They will find secluded areas to hide nests. Preferably on a cliff but maybe that's only in Spain.

 

[sarastamand]

No. That is a dust bath.
They will find secluded areas to hide nests. Preferably on a cliff but maybe that's only in Spain.

Why do they bathe in dust? To cool down? We are new chicken owners (clearly!)

 

[DobieLover]

Why do they bathe in dust? To cool down? We are new chicken owners (clearly!)

They like to dust bathe daily, often multiple times. It help them clean their feathers and skin and helps keep external parasites at bay. They go into something of a trance when doing it so it must feel really good too.

 

[Shadrach]

Why do they bathe in dust? To cool down? We are new chicken owners (clearly!)

This might help explain.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/why-chickens-bath-in-dust-and-not-in-water.74441/