when to put in the nest boxes

[Arkansas81]

im going to be getting eggs in weeks to come...when do i put in the nest boxes?

 

[gardendufus]

I put mine in (with golf balls as hints) when the girls were 16 weeks and I saw them developing wattles and their faces reddening. They are now 19 weeks and still no eggs. Also, I have never seen them pay the slightest attention to the nest boxes, altho Lord knows I can't see everything they do in the coop. While I'm glad I don't have to worry about them sleeping in the boxes, I don't know if I should be concerned that they are flat out ignoring them.

 

[Arkansas81]

well they are right around 16 weeks now. some of the girls faces are getting red, but i've not seen wattle development yet tho....ive read some ppls post saying that they will only sleep in the boxes and wnt use them when time comes. so im confused on when and where to put them?

 

[gardendufus]

Well, were I you, I'd start putting them in now. Your birds are currently roosting? I don't know how large your coop is, so hard to give much advice about placement. But, If they are already roosting, and they probably should be by this time, I would say if you put your nest boxes at a height BELOW the roost, you shouldn't have the sleeping in them problem. The girls will want to roost in the highest place possible. If you have a really small coop and don't have height options, I would THINK (I'm a first timer, so I know nothing for sure) that they have established their sleep position and won't switch to the nest boxes unless they are much higher than the roost.

Since I posted yesterday, I went out to the coop this morning to find THIS: (That's a golf ball, not an egg)



But having them make a nest can't be a bad sign. Depression in straw proudly made by the girl in my avatar.

 

[codechicken1]

Mine are making depressions also, but no eggs yet.
I think mine, red sex links, are around 16 weeks old.

 

[debid]

I vote sooner over later. You don't want them picking a place on the floor and then not using the boxes once they're added.

At 16 weeks, they aren't going to switch to sleeping in a nest box unless it is more appealing than their roost (in other words, higher).

 

[Arkansas81]

well ive gotten everything that i need for my nest boxes. i found storage stackers at my dollar tree that are open on the sides with small squares. i thought that way they will have air flow in the box, the bins are shallow but big enough for my big girls. they are even in color!!!!!!!!!

My mom has lots of old wood so we are going to make a low platform that goes all the way across the back side of the coop with the plastic bins attached to them. i plan on putting pine shavings and a little hay in them for bedding. I'm starting with 9, when all are laying there will be 20 hens. will that be enough you think? or should i do more?

can chickens see color?

 

[gardendufus]

9 is more than plenty for 20 hens. I would think they could actually do with 5 or 6. I think they must be able to see color as they definitely see blood.

 

[KDK1]

can chickens see color?

Most definitely.
http://www.livescience.com/8099-chickens-color-humans.html

 

[debid]

I think you picked the same style boxes that I'm using only mine are boring white. I installed them with a simple framework so they can be removed easily but are still stable when the hens step on the edges. Super easy to clean -- I love them.