Doubled our flock size, same amount of eggs

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NightOwl3

NightOwl3

In the Brooder
5 Years
Jan 27, 2014
72
7
31
We started our flock last year with 6 Isa browns. And I'm guessing we had beginners luck with them. As they started laying at 16 weeks and consistently get 5-6 eggs per day. Everyday - even during the cold winter months. This year we doubled the run size and added 5 more Isa browns and 4 barred rocks and 3 barnyard mixes. Out of 18 layers we get 6-9 eggs per day. 5-6 of them are from last years flock and the other 3 I *think* are coming from our 3 barnyard mixes. Did we just get really lucky last year with our excellent egg layers? This years Isa browns are 22 weeks old and still not really laying. Our original flock was not happy with the new additions and it took them a good 2 months just to establish pecking order and get along. Could this be the delay in them not laying yet? It's annoying to have all these birds and only get 2-3 more eggs then we used to.
 
They also are not squatting either so I'm guessing they are just not ready yet.
 
You did get lucky, those older birds will molt soon and quit laying, the younger ones will fill in, they might be the same cross breeds, but genetically they are different, so they will start at a different time I would think. Not all chickens lay the same, it sounds like you have decent production from your older ones. It takes a lot of energy to produce eggs, and your little ones need to mature before they start. 16 weeks is pretty young to start laying, a lot of breeds don't start until 6-9 months old, and time of year, and quality of food can all affect laying. Be patient, they will start when they are ready. Good luck
 
You can't hurry a hen. Next time though, read some of the many articles on integrating new birds into an established flock. There would have been much less stress - so new ones might start laying earlier.
 
Thank you both. Yes the only reason I am in a bit of a "hurry" with the egg laying is because these are my son's 4-H projects and they are suppose to be recording egg laying in their fair books. Fair starts next weekend for us.

I did do lots of reading on Intergrating new birds to the flock but it seemed like everything I tried didn't really work. We introduced them by separating with a fence etc. installed extra food and water stations and they even had their own nest boxes and coop to sleep in (a little dog house) They are getting along well now. But I'm sure it delayed them a bit due to the stress of Intergrating.

It's just such a drastic change from last years project egg laying wise.
 
Last edited:
drumstick diva said:
You can't hurry a hen.  Next time though, read some of the many articles on integrating new birds into an established flock. There would have been much less stress - so new ones might start laying earlier.
Click to expand...


I have my EE roo and EE hen together in a separate run. I planned to integrate them once 6 of my sons 4-H birds are sold. Will the hens pick on the roo? Or will he stand up to them? The EEs are currently in a run that is right next to the main run where the birds can all see each other. He is the first roo I've had in with these hens.
 
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