Black Australorps not laying eggs ~ 7 month old

[grisou]

Hello,

My 5 Black Australorps (BA) are not laying eggs, despite being 7 month old. I'm from France (so Nothern hemisphere).

One of them actually started to lay eggs one month ago (so she was 6 month old). But not anymore, so I have zero egg now.

I raised them from fertilized eggs thanks to a Silkie mother. I suspect I missed something in their diet. I gave them special first-age food for 4 weeks, then special 2nd-age until they reached 16 weeks, then layer-feed.

When they were around 3 month old, I made a mistake, giving them layer-feed for 10 days.

Outside of this, did I miss something ? Are vitamins absolutely necessary ?

Thanks for your help,

D.

 

[aart]

Do they free range?

Do you give them anything to eat other than the layer feed?

 

[grisou]

Free range most of the time. I give them some food leftovers, and salad from time to time.

 

[aart]

Free range most of the time. I give them some food leftovers, and salad from time to time.

Good chance they are laying out in range area?

Might be time for an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then.....
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[grisou]

The only layer was laying in the coop, there is still a little probability that they lay in the range, I'll check, but it's probably another problem.