13 chickens and only one laying

[FarmerGirl101]

They are almost 5 months longhorn lavender and Rhode Island reds
Laying crumble with vitamin oyster shells and herbs in food
Grit on side. It is hot this afternoon they got watermelon cantaloupe and plain yogurt

You'll want to leave the oyster shells on the side for free access. They'll take what is needed. You can put herbs in their food but just make sure it isn't more than 10% of the food. Else you can leave it on the side. At 5 months they should start to lay any day now. Sometimes it takes them a little longer to lay. Also, that food is good. Sometimes commercial feed with poor nutrition can cause laying issues (I've had experience with that) but this is not one that causes this.

 

[nuthatched]

Soldier flies mealworm eggs

Every other day fresh herbs kale cucumbers or zucchini

Cut out all these extras, and keep them to once or twice a week.
Since they're young and still growing, you may want to consider a higher protein layer feed or all flock feed.
I hope you'll recover quickly.

 

[Mrs. K]

Just wait - they are still pretty young yet. Another 4 weeks and I be you have several laying.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Cut out all these extras, and keep them to once or twice a week.
Since they're young and still growing, you may want to consider a higher protein layer feed or all flock feed.

As long as it is less than 10% of their feed then it is fine to keep them in. Mine get scraps daily as well as whatever they find free ranging. If anything, feed the treats and scraps in the afternoon so that way they'll eat a good portion of feed in the morning.

 

[nuthatched]

As long as it is less than 10% of their feed then it is fine to keep them in. Mine get scraps daily as well as whatever they find free ranging. If anything, feed the treats and scraps in the afternoon so that way they'll eat a good portion of feed in the morning.

I would typically agree but I think they should be drasticly reduced until whatever going on is solved, then afterwards, definitely 10%. :]

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I would typically agree but I think they should be drasticly reduced until whatever going on is solved, then afterwards, definitely 10%. :]

They are 21 weeks old which is towards the early side of laying for most non-production breeds so it's clear that just time is needed given they are doing all the right things. Now if it is approaching 30 weeks then yes, I would reduce it.

 

[nuthatched]

They are 21 weeks old which is towards the early side of laying for most non-production breeds so it's clear that just time is needed given they are doing all the right things. Now if it is approaching 30 weeks then yes, I would reduce it.

Correct. Since they're still growing, and not production birds, they need a more stable diet, less treats and a little more nutritious feed than 16%.

 

[BoundlessLove]

I’m so sorry this has happened to you and pray you will recover quickly.
Agree with nuthatched.
I’d leave off treats for a bit and offer feed. Perhaps an all flock feed.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

They are almost 5 months longhorn lavender and Rhode Island reds
Laying crumble with vitamin oyster shells and herbs in food
Grit on side. It is hot this afternoon they got watermelon cantaloupe and plain yogurt

Mine started laying around five months or a little after.

Are any of them squatting for you yet? (If you reach down to pet, their backs, they suddenly squat and open up their wings a bit. They think that your hand is a rooster wanting to mate.)

Red combs + squatting means eggs will be appearing soon.

 

[C Siena]

We've had pullets begin at 18 weeks and some at 23/24 weeks. We gave treats but usually not daily. When giving treats, even at 10%, we didn't want to lower the protein, so added some protein snacks with fruit/veggies many treat days. Ours free range all day, so I'm sure they get bugs/insects.