When to open up the nestboxes?

[cookinmom]

See my breeds in my signature - they are almost 14 weeks now. I have my nest boxes screened off because they used to sleep in them and I had to break them of it. They are all now sleeping on their roost, which is about a foot and a half higher than the nest boxes.

My question is, at what point do I need to open up the nest boxes and put the shavings in? Should I do it now, so they can get used to them, or should I wait until the first egg comes? I will put fake eggs in them. I just didn't know if they start laying somewhere else first, will it be hard to get them to lay in the nest boxes after that.

What do y'all do?

Edited to add: this is re: the pullets, not the husband, kids & black lab!!!

 

[cookinmom]

Well, guess there is no right or wrong answer here. I think we'll just take the cover off today, fill em up with shavings and see what happens!

 

[ThunderStruck]

This prob wont help ya much, but for what its worth i just installed my nesting box (old milk crate w/ 2in molding on the front to keep shavings in place)and a couple of golf balls. my girls are about 17wks now. i know that they aren't ready to lay yet but i did it so that they could get use to it being in there. no sign of em wanting to sleep in there.......yet.

 

[cookinmom]

Thanks ThunderStruck. That's kind of what I figured too. BTW, love you signature!!! That was good for a big LOL