2 lazy layers after a move

wickedlees

Chirping
7 Years
Oct 23, 2012
104
9
78
Centennial CO
Hello everone! Good to back on the forum after a 4+ year hiatus & move from Denver to Hayden, CO
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. So, I have set up a coop about a month ago,I got 4 hens from a friend here in town, they are about a year old, he had 36+ chickens, but is too busy to keep them as his side business. So I got 2 black Austolopes & 2 Road Island Reds. The blacks are laying at least every other day if not Dailey, as has been my experience with this breed. They are all eating the same, free range on over an acre, a smaller coop than i'd like, but I'll remedy that in the spring. We haven't had bad weather yet,the birds are very healthy. I do know you can't force a bird to lay, but any ideas? Do some just take longer? Oh, also, I've checked for secret nests and keep an eye on them during the day because I'm a chicken stalker and retired LOL
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Hi! Welcome back to BYC! Hope you stick around!

Remember, the days are getting shorter, and won't start getting longer again until late December. So your new hens may not only be off their laying due to the stress of changing environments, but the shorter days may be conspiring against their laying, too.

If Australorps are consistent winter layers, you may be in luck. Otherwise, if there aren't any eggs for the next few months, you'll know why.
 
If 'about a year old' means they might be closer to 18 months......
.....they might be getting ready to molt as well as the move throwing them off.

It can be hard to get them to lay in coop nests without locking them up for a time.

You're not really going to make them spend the winter in that coop, are you?
I don't usually do 'cute' ...but that is a darling little coop!
Would be prefect for a broody hen and her chicks.
 
Yeah, I got the coop and didn't like it on site, it was much smaller than I thought, it would be like I said, I'm going to remedy that in the spring with a better coop it may not be as cute, but it will be bigger, I'm thinking tough shed conversion. And chicken math a few additions come spring. Thanks for the info. I've always had good luck with the blacks, any suggestions for other breeds that lay regularly daily/ every other day like they do come spring? The reds aren't even really very friendly. The blacks let me hold them, come running when I come out,even fly up below my window on a bar beneath my office window when I look out it or am talking. The reds will eat out of my hands now but aren't as friendly and are still skittish. I have been able to pet them at night or in the morning Whelan they are in the nest. I have spoiled then a lot with pumpkins tomatoes and apples. Not so much they are getting fat though. Thanks for the advice, I guesz, I'll keep waiting and enjoying them. It's not all about eggs for me, I just love watching them. Funny girls.
 
Yeah, I got the coop and didn't like it on site, it was much smaller than I thought, it would be like I said, I'm going to remedy that in the spring with a better coop it may not be as cute, but it will be bigger, I'm thinking tough shed conversion. And chicken math a few additions come spring. Thanks for the info. I've always had good luck with the blacks, any suggestions for other breeds that lay regularly daily/ every other day like they do come spring? The reds aren't even really very friendly. The blacks let me hold them, come running when I come out,even fly up below my window on a bar beneath my office window when I look out it or am talking. The reds will eat out of my hands now but aren't as friendly and are still skittish. I have been able to pet them at night or in the morning Whelan they are in the nest. I have spoiled then a lot with pumpkins tomatoes and apples. Not so much they are getting fat though. Thanks for the advice, I guesz, I'll keep waiting and enjoying them. It's not all about eggs for me, I just love watching them. Funny girls.
They can't spend the winter in there, aren't your winters harsh.......do they even actually all even fit in there at one time???
 
They got cozy, I am going to change our the wire mesh to a box so they can use it as more shelter as they won't need it as a "run" they can go into the yard, our winters can get cold but we are planning on keeping the side area rug out for them. Even if it's cold, I think they will be able to keep themselves eaten enough, I am not one for heating elements.
 
I had looked at the same coop for future broodies (hopefully) with clutches. It's adorable but agreed that it is small though it's great that they have the whole yard to range and if you'll be enclosing the run area, you'll want to be sure there's still plenty of ventilation. Surrounding your coop with bales of hay or straw will help insulate and spreading some out on the ground throughout the winter will also give them areas to walk around where their feet aren't directly in/on the snow, ice and freezing ground.
 
Sorry to break into this post. I'm new and have not figured out how to post a new thread. I just got into having chickens. I have a coop with 4 speckled and 3 new hampshire red I just bought and moved them to the new coop. So far I have owned them for a week with 2 eggs laid outside. I have added layer pellets to their feed. I also lowered the nesting boxes thinking they were to high. I also bought fake eggs hoping they would get the clue lmao. At this point I'm stumped. After the first couple eggs on day two I have not had any since. Trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong.
 
Sorry to break into this post. I'm new and have not figured out how to post a new thread. I just got into having chickens. I have a coop with 4 speckled and 3 new hampshire red I just bought and moved them to the new coop. So far I have owned them for a week with 2 eggs laid outside. I have added layer pellets to their feed. I also lowered the nesting boxes thinking they were to high. I also bought fake eggs hoping they would get the clue lmao. At this point I'm stumped. After the first couple eggs on day two I have not had any since. Trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong.
Your birds are stressed from being relocated. Let them settle in and get used to their new territory. Egg laying will resume when the feel more comfortable. It's best to not keep moving thing around. Chickens like a routine and things kept the same. Expect no eggs for a few weeks, sooner if they settle quickly.
 

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