When to open the nest box?

[LuckyFarrell]

My girls are 19 weeks now, I have their nest box blocked off, should I open it now or wait until one of them starts to lay?
Thanks,
adam

 

[kathyinmo]

Oh yes, open it now. Put in a couple golf balls or fake eggs. They need to start looking around to see where they will lay. I opened mine when they were 15 weeks, and most didn't even check them out. BUT, they have all (over 30) laid their eggs IN the nests! Well, except for the first soft shell under the roost! Good luck!

 

[LuckyFarrell]

Thanks! I'll open it up when I get home from work.
adam

 

[france]

I agree, open it now. We have had ours open with golf balls since August. The first egg arrived a couple of days ago in the middle of the coop. The next egg was in a nest box right next to a golf ball.