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Not laying

post #1 of 15
1/3/12 at 6:29pm
Thread Starter 

I have had chickens for a year now and they layed good for a long time but now for the past four months I haven't gotten any eggs i thought maybe they were moulting but it shouldn't take that long I don't understand what is happening

Owner of muscovy, and mallard ducks, a buff pheasant, royal palm, black spanish, bourban red turkeys, india blue peacocks, Rhode Island Red, buff orpington, buff rock, silver laced roosters chickens, Silver laced wyandotte,  silver sebrights, buff laced sebrights,  golden sebrights, White and Fawn runners, Pekins, Blue Swedish, khaki Campbells, white Chinese geese
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Owner of muscovy, and mallard ducks, a buff pheasant, royal palm, black spanish, bourban red turkeys, india blue peacocks, Rhode Island Red, buff orpington, buff rock, silver laced roosters chickens, Silver laced wyandotte,  silver sebrights, buff laced sebrights,  golden sebrights, White and Fawn runners, Pekins, Blue Swedish, khaki Campbells, white Chinese geese
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Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens!!
post #2 of 15
1/3/12 at 7:15pm

There are a lot of things that could be going on here. Maybe they are molting. Maybe they are eating the eggs. Maybe something else (dog, raccoon, snake, bird, possum, human) is stealing the eggs. Maybe they are laying the eggs somewhere where you can't find them. Maybe they aren't getting enough protein in their diet. Maybe their eggs have paper-thin shells due to low calcium and they are getting trampled and mixed into the bedding. Maybe they are laying fewer eggs because of the shorter daylight hours. Maybe they are sick. Maybe it's a combination of several of the above.

I would take a good look at all of these to rule them out. If they free range, consider locking them in for a few days or a week so they can't hide their eggs. Check for spots where an egg thief might get in. Examine them closely for pin feathers, mites, worms, general health and appearance. Look at their eyes, feathers, feet, and combs. Feed them good, high-protein layer ration. Give them access to oyster shell or other supplemental calcium.

Sorry to be so broad, but without knowing what you've ruled out, it's hard to be specific. There is also a whole thread dedicated to the question of why hens might not lay.

Hens: 3 Marans, 1 Dominique, 2 White Leghorns, 1 Buff Orpington, 4 Rhode Island Reds, 1 New Hampshire Red
Chicks: 3 silkie mixes hatched 11/19/2011
I love my chickens, but they are here to provide eggs and, eventually, meat. If yours sit on the couch with you in diapers and that makes you happy, more power to you! We still have a lot in common.

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Hens: 3 Marans, 1 Dominique, 2 White Leghorns, 1 Buff Orpington, 4 Rhode Island Reds, 1 New Hampshire Red
Chicks: 3 silkie mixes hatched 11/19/2011
I love my chickens, but they are here to provide eggs and, eventually, meat. If yours sit on the couch with you in diapers and that makes you happy, more power to you! We still have a lot in common.

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post #3 of 15
1/4/12 at 2:33am
Thread Starter 

Okay thanks I wasn't really sure but now you gave me some ideas to look for thanks.

Owner of muscovy, and mallard ducks, a buff pheasant, royal palm, black spanish, bourban red turkeys, india blue peacocks, Rhode Island Red, buff orpington, buff rock, silver laced roosters chickens, Silver laced wyandotte,  silver sebrights, buff laced sebrights,  golden sebrights, White and Fawn runners, Pekins, Blue Swedish, khaki Campbells, white Chinese geese
Reply
Owner of muscovy, and mallard ducks, a buff pheasant, royal palm, black spanish, bourban red turkeys, india blue peacocks, Rhode Island Red, buff orpington, buff rock, silver laced roosters chickens, Silver laced wyandotte,  silver sebrights, buff laced sebrights,  golden sebrights, White and Fawn runners, Pekins, Blue Swedish, khaki Campbells, white Chinese geese
Reply
post #4 of 15
1/4/12 at 4:14am

Sounds like they were moulting, and now it's winter, so insufficient light. At least that's the story mine are giving me. lol Later in February, they say...

4 EE and 2 BR hens, 1 BR roo
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4 EE and 2 BR hens, 1 BR roo
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post #5 of 15
1/4/12 at 4:37am

Your choice is to simply allow the lengthening days to take effect naturally or provide them with supplemental, pre-dawn light.  It is a choice.  We are only two weeks past the darkest day of the year.

 

 

Practicing Sustainable Agriculture At The 45th Parallel

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Practicing Sustainable Agriculture At The 45th Parallel

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post #6 of 15
1/4/12 at 6:52am

I'm in Ohio and mine quit laying but only 1-2 a day then I put light in there coop and they lay 12 a day after 3 weeks of the light in there. I thought they were molting also but only one was loosing feathers!

Mommy/Lineman wife of 3 kids, 1 golden retriever, and 1st time mama to 15 chicks March 1, 2011 ; )
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Mommy/Lineman wife of 3 kids, 1 golden retriever, and 1st time mama to 15 chicks March 1, 2011 ; )
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post #7 of 15
1/4/12 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 

I put a light in but it doesn't seem to help

Owner of muscovy, and mallard ducks, a buff pheasant, royal palm, black spanish, bourban red turkeys, india blue peacocks, Rhode Island Red, buff orpington, buff rock, silver laced roosters chickens, Silver laced wyandotte,  silver sebrights, buff laced sebrights,  golden sebrights, White and Fawn runners, Pekins, Blue Swedish, khaki Campbells, white Chinese geese
Reply
Owner of muscovy, and mallard ducks, a buff pheasant, royal palm, black spanish, bourban red turkeys, india blue peacocks, Rhode Island Red, buff orpington, buff rock, silver laced roosters chickens, Silver laced wyandotte,  silver sebrights, buff laced sebrights,  golden sebrights, White and Fawn runners, Pekins, Blue Swedish, khaki Campbells, white Chinese geese
Reply
post #8 of 15
1/4/12 at 3:56pm

How old are the birds?  What breed are they?

 

 

Practicing Sustainable Agriculture At The 45th Parallel

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Practicing Sustainable Agriculture At The 45th Parallel

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post #9 of 15
1/5/12 at 7:24pm
Thread Starter 

Some buff Orps and mostly RIRS and like a year and a half

Owner of muscovy, and mallard ducks, a buff pheasant, royal palm, black spanish, bourban red turkeys, india blue peacocks, Rhode Island Red, buff orpington, buff rock, silver laced roosters chickens, Silver laced wyandotte,  silver sebrights, buff laced sebrights,  golden sebrights, White and Fawn runners, Pekins, Blue Swedish, khaki Campbells, white Chinese geese
Reply
Owner of muscovy, and mallard ducks, a buff pheasant, royal palm, black spanish, bourban red turkeys, india blue peacocks, Rhode Island Red, buff orpington, buff rock, silver laced roosters chickens, Silver laced wyandotte,  silver sebrights, buff laced sebrights,  golden sebrights, White and Fawn runners, Pekins, Blue Swedish, khaki Campbells, white Chinese geese
Reply
post #10 of 15
1/5/12 at 7:27pm

Do you have a rooster? They will encourage chickens to lay.

Είσαι φοβερή σ' αγαπώ πολύ

κλαίω και πονώ
με την πάρτη σου εχω τρελαθεί
γιατί

I love Naked Necks! 

 

Check Out My Vid at NE Poultry Congress Walk

Through of the show! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePmnNMdVnGM 

 

Soon to drive Big Rigs!

 

 

 

 

 

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Είσαι φοβερή σ' αγαπώ πολύ

κλαίω και πονώ
με την πάρτη σου εχω τρελαθεί
γιατί

I love Naked Necks! 

 

Check Out My Vid at NE Poultry Congress Walk

Through of the show! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePmnNMdVnGM 

 

Soon to drive Big Rigs!

 

 

 

 

 

Reply
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Featured Stories on BackYard Chickens

Have you ever wondered how a hen can lay an egg every day?
Poll: Why raise backyard chickens?
Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens!!