When will my chickens lay eggs?

[KMurphyVT]

Hi,
I have 16 week old Golden Comet and Speckled Sussex (4 and 4). Right now I have their nesting boxes blocked off so they won’t sleep in them, and I was wondering if I should open them soon, or only when I find an egg in the coop? Also, Should I cover the nesting boxes with fabric for privacy? It does have about a 3-4 inch lip so I thought it might feel private enough. Lastly, will they just know to go int he nesting boxes or do I have to use some of those fake eggs to get them to go in? Thank you Thank you!! New to chickens

Kelly

 

[HappyClucker7]

You can open the nest boxes now.
You don't have to hang any fabric over the nest boxes. They'll just get dirty, and it might encourage you chickens to go broody.
You can out some fake eggs in the nest box. They might lay they're eggs in weird places at first though.

 

[KMurphyVT]

Thank You!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would uncover them now so they can start exploring them.

I don't use curtains on nest boxes but some people do (I've not found it to be necessary).

Fake eggs are a good idea to show them where to lay. You can also use golf balls, egg shaped rocks, etc - no need to buy super realistic fakes.