EllePoulet
Hatching
- Feb 22, 2017
- 3
- 0
- 7
As the title suggests, we are in need of help. Our entire flock of 23 hens (1 rooster) has never laid a single egg!
Background on the flock:
-Approximately 9-11 months old
-Various breeds
-Hatchery chicks
-Free range during the day (they mostly stay on our 2 acre lawn, but have access to woods and other areas, PLENTY of space)
-10x14 coop at night
-Solar light in the winter months
-Fake eggs in the nesting boxes
-Plenty to eat, supplemented by oyster shells, farm corn, and layer pellets
-Gravel driveway for grit
-Dog is out with them when they are out of the coop, guarding the flock
-Dog also sleeps next to the coop, so I am confident there aren't egg stealers coming around, and the nesting boxes are well off the ground and under latches
We have scoured the internet and BYC for answers. This is not a case of them laying and then stopping. Other suggestions we've tried to address:
- They're laying, we are just missing the eggs -- from 23 chickens? We have searched high and low for ANY eggs. When they squawk we check. When they spend time in the bushes, we check. Even if we're somehow missing ALL those eggs, we have kept them cooped for up to 3 days at a time with zero eggs in the nesting boxes.
- They have worms. They seem healthy, alert, energetic. We haven't seen any worms in their poop. Our dog has also been known to eat their poop (I know!) and she doesn't appear to have worms. We also REALLY want to keep these organic and antibiotic free, so don't want to get chemical worming medicine unless it's a last resort.
- We have cleaned the coop.
What are we missing? We've put so much time, effort, and money into them and desperately want to get some eggs! Any assistance is most appreciated.
I've read through most (but not all 95 pages) of this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/423023/why-arent-my-chickens-laying-here-are-your-answers
PLEASE HELP! THANK YOU!!!
Background on the flock:
-Approximately 9-11 months old
-Various breeds
-Hatchery chicks
-Free range during the day (they mostly stay on our 2 acre lawn, but have access to woods and other areas, PLENTY of space)
-10x14 coop at night
-Solar light in the winter months
-Fake eggs in the nesting boxes
-Plenty to eat, supplemented by oyster shells, farm corn, and layer pellets
-Gravel driveway for grit
-Dog is out with them when they are out of the coop, guarding the flock
-Dog also sleeps next to the coop, so I am confident there aren't egg stealers coming around, and the nesting boxes are well off the ground and under latches
We have scoured the internet and BYC for answers. This is not a case of them laying and then stopping. Other suggestions we've tried to address:
- They're laying, we are just missing the eggs -- from 23 chickens? We have searched high and low for ANY eggs. When they squawk we check. When they spend time in the bushes, we check. Even if we're somehow missing ALL those eggs, we have kept them cooped for up to 3 days at a time with zero eggs in the nesting boxes.
- They have worms. They seem healthy, alert, energetic. We haven't seen any worms in their poop. Our dog has also been known to eat their poop (I know!) and she doesn't appear to have worms. We also REALLY want to keep these organic and antibiotic free, so don't want to get chemical worming medicine unless it's a last resort.
- We have cleaned the coop.
What are we missing? We've put so much time, effort, and money into them and desperately want to get some eggs! Any assistance is most appreciated.
I've read through most (but not all 95 pages) of this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/423023/why-arent-my-chickens-laying-here-are-your-answers
PLEASE HELP! THANK YOU!!!
