when to put in nest boxes?

[wyochickenlady]

My birds are between 5-9 weeks. I heard if you put in nest boxes early they will sleep in then. Should you really wait to laying age to introduce boxes?

 

[TheChips]

I put in my nesting box for my 3 isas when they were old enough to go outside and had all their feathers in. They do sleep in it and also also lay eggs in threre. They go in there when the feel scared its their "safe zone"

 

[iwiw60]

My birds are between 5-9 weeks. I heard if you put in nest boxes early they will sleep in then. Should you really wait to laying age to introduce boxes?

Quote: BIG mistake!

Allowing your future layers to 'sleep' in the nesting boxes will result in finding eggs everywhere except the nesting boxes in most cases. You should block off entrance to your nesting boxes until they are ready to lay You can put a piece of plywood or even stacks of empty egg cartons...anything to block them off...JMHO..

 

[calebc311]

I did hte same thing as @TheChips . My two girls are 4.5 months old and they've been sleeping in their nesting boxes ever since they went outside. TheChips said his/her hens lay in the nesting boxes. @iwiw60 says the hens will lay everywhere else.

What is the conclusion?
and also, do you need a different bedding for the nests? I just have shaved pinewood and newspaper.

Thanks

 

[wyochickenlady]

I do know pine shavings are not recommended because they can easily move it and may crush the eggs. Straw is better

 

[Folly's place]

Make sure that your roosts are higher than the nest boxes and on another wall. My boxes have a perch about eight inches in front of the boxes, so the birds can check out the boxes first. I use shavings covered in hay or straw. The young birds check out the boxes, but I will move them to roosting places if one tries to sleep in a box. I check when closing up the coop at night. Sometimes an old (unwell) bird will want to sleep in a box, too. Mary

 

[wyochickenlady]

Thanks!

 

[TheChips]

In my defense of myIsa browns. They don't lay everywhere. They specifically lay in their nesting boxes. Since then I have added a few more within the coop and they only lay in the nesting boxes. They're about 10months old now

 

[TheChips]

Also since then, I have higher roosting areas. They do sleep on those too. I guess it depends on what they're feeling they want to sleep that night