10 month old chickens still not laying!!!!

Bookwormmomma

In the Brooder
Apr 13, 2015
6
2
11
I have a 6 yr old RIR non-layer. We call her "The Colonel" because she is in charge! In April we got three americauna chicks. Mother nature in MD has been hormonal this year (more than normal) so we had a cold snap early October along with warm snaps in Dec. In late October we introduced 5 Blue laced Wyn mixes. All the birds are happy and healthy, getting LOTS of healthy stuff from us on a regular basis as well as their layer crumbles, corn and seeds.

I figured we would probably start getting eggs around October. Maybe introducing the new wynnies caused enough havoc to not lay. Just before Christmas we miraculously had TWO green eggs in the nesting boxes!! We were so excited....and then....NOTHING!! We were told we could add lighting but that they really shouldnt need it(we dont have electric that far from home), we have added cayenne pepper to their crumbles this week.

We now have NINE chickens (8 under 1 year) that arent laying. Never had this happen before.
Any other suggestions??? Anyone else ever have this happen??
 
Time of year, the stress of new birds and breeds that are late starters and not consistent layers are a few factors, the other reason might be feeding them layer than adding in stuff with lower protein, I don't think your birds are getting enough protein to finish growing and to start laying. I would switch to something that is 18-20% and limit the extras a bit to get them going.
 
'Americanas' are probably Easter Eggers...they can be sporadic layers.

Agrees with ohld, not enough protein...and they don't need the calcium in layer feed if they're not laying.

My Feeding Notes: I like to feed a 'flock raiser' 20% protein crumble to all ages and genders, as non-layers(chicks, males and molting birds) do not need the extra calcium that is in layer feed and chicks and molters can use the extra protein. Makes life much simpler to store and distribute one type of chow that everyone can eat. I do grind up the crumbles (in the blender) for the chicks for the first week or so.

The higher protein crumble also offsets the 8% protein scratch grains and other kitchen/garden scraps I like to offer. I adjust the amounts of other feeds to get the protein levels desired with varying situations.

Calcium should be available at all times for the layers, I use oyster shell mixed with rinsed, dried, crushed chicken egg shells in a separate container.

Animal protein (mealworms, a little cheese - beware the salt content, meat scraps) is provided during molting and if I see any feather eating
 

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