16 Week Old Egg Laying

[lilgreene19]

hello,

I bought my chickens (ISA BROWN) from tractor supply on May 24th, 2020 (I live in New England). I noticed one was starting to squat when I went near her. Looked it up, realized she was basically going to be laying eggs soon. So on the 11th of September we received our first egg. We got about 4 normal eggs out of her, and the rest have been soft shell.

She usually lays one everyday (being soft shell or hard). The last egg she laid on the 17th was a soft shell and you could see the yolk inside. But she did not lay one yesterday (Sept 18th, or this morning Sept 19th). She is the ONLY Hen laying right now (one other started crouching when I go near her too). All chickens have been eating fine, drinking fine & acting normal.

I attached a picture of the last egg on September 17th.

Is this too early for chickens to be laying?

Should I be worried she is egg bound?

 

[DobieLover]

hello,

I bought my chickens (ISA BROWN) from tractor supply on May 24th, 2020 (I live in New England). I noticed one was starting to squat when I went near her. Looked it up, realized she was basically going to be laying eggs soon. So on the 11th of September we received our first egg. We got about 4 normal eggs out of her, and the rest have been soft shell.

She usually lays one everyday (being soft shell or hard). The last egg she laid on the 17th was a soft shell and you could see the yolk inside. But she did not lay one yesterday (Sept 18th, or this morning Sept 19th). She is the ONLY Hen laying right now (one other started crouching when I go near her too). All chickens have been eating fine, drinking fine & acting normal.

I attached a picture of the last egg on September 17th.

Is this too early for chickens to be laying?

Should I be worried she is egg bound?

What are you feeding the flock?
She needs extra calcium to form the shells on her eggs. I would put out a container or two of oyster shell for her and the others to eat free choice.
When her reproductive system fully matures, she should become more consistent with egg quality.

 

[aart]

We have shorter days now. Sun used to be up at 430-5 and now isn't up till about 530-6 and used to go downat 8, now its set by 630-7 and will get shorter.

Yes, I am well aware of the changes in the length of daylight throughout the year, I follow it rather passionately. The Autumnal Equinox is just a few days away.

I was told to just give them Layer Pellets when they start laying. And I want to make sure i am giving them the best food (organic) at the right stages so since I bought them on May 24th from Tractor Supply. So they're 16 weeks old now. What Organic feed do you suggest and at what stages...

I don't really go by the 'stages' the feed companies subscribe to,
nor do I believe that 'organic' is really that, or superior.

I feed 20% Purina Flock Raiser to balance out the bit of 8% scratch grains and other treats I like to give, so I provide Oyster Shell(mix with crush eggs shells when I have them) in a separate container for the active layers because FR has low(~1%)calcium.

I encourage you to learn about the nutritive content on the feeds,
should be on a tag sewn into the bottom of the feed bags.
Also pay attention to the manufacturing date, many feeds on the shelves are older,
I don't buy anything more than a couple months old. MFG date should be printed on the tag and the sew strip.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They all act fine & are doing just fine. Never been sick. And are really happy chickens.

Organ damage from calcium overdose may not show up for years. If your birds are just livestock and you plan on culling every couple of years as you go, that may not matter to you.

The other problem with using layer feed early is most layer does not have optimal protein for the fastest growing phase. Chicks are generally fed around 18-20% or so protein, some people offer even more. Adding in scratch, generally 10% or so protein, further diluted down the protein. I offer around 19% protein first 6-8 weeks or so, then reduce it to around 17% or so to start slowing rapid growth, then down to 16.5% once they're laying.

 

[black_cat]

I am feeding her Purina Organic Crumble. I put oyster shells in the food & the scratch (also purina organic). They avoid the oyster shells (Dumor) and go for everything else (picky girls!).

I haven't switched to pellets because only one chicken is laying right now. The others haven't even gotten the big red comb like the one who is laying. Its starting to grow, but its not there yet.

They avoid the oyster shells because they don't need the extra calcium yet, aside from the one who is laying. You are fine to keep them on grower until most or all are laying. You might want to have a seperate cup or holder that's just oyster shell, and maybe one for grit as well.

 

[aart]

1. It is OK to have soft shell eggs at first.

Common with new layers.

2. Make sure that I am doing the right thing from here on out. (Which means I will NOT give them Pellets until they are ALL laying).

What do you mean by "pellets"?
Again.....

What are the protein and calcium percentages of these feeds?
'Crumble' and 'pellets' only tells us the shape of the feed,
need to know the vital nutrient content that's listed on the tag sewn into bottom of feed bag.

Which I dont know when that will be because its getting chilly in Massachusetts now and they're starting to molt for the winter months, which also means less egg production.

Cold doesn't trigger fall molting, shorter days do.
16 week old birds should be done with their juvenile molts and not molt again until ~18 months of age.

 

[aart]

your bag says 20% protein

Yes, it does because it is.

Layer feed only says 16% protein.

Most layer feeds are only 16%....and meant to be the sole ration.

Also your bag says it’s for broiler chickens. Do laying hens need the same protein level as broilers?

Laying hens can survive and produce on less protein.
As I said in another post I like the higher protein so I can give other foods.
They actually only get about 18-19% when I figure in those other foods.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Tractor Supply gave us 1 bag of starter feed & then they were outside getting layer crumble, per Tractor Supply and what they told us. So for 6 weeks they got starter and then switched to Layer Crumble..

Yeah unfortunately you didn't get great info. At least they did get some starter but they really could've used another 10 weeks on it.

 

[black_cat]

Some breeds, such as ISAs, begin laying as early as 16 weeks. Don't worry about her being egg bound-it's normal for few layers to be inconsistent with some weird eggs as they first come into lay. If she is lethargic and not acting normal, then you should worry.

 

[aart]

I am feeding her Purina Organic Crumble. I put oyster shells in the food & the scratch (also purina organic). They avoid the oyster shells (Dumor) and go for everything else (picky girls!).

I haven't switched to pellets because only one chicken is laying right now. The others haven't even gotten the big red comb like the one who is laying. Its starting to grow, but its not there yet.

What are the protein and calcium percentages of these feeds?
'Crumble' and 'pellets' only tells us the shape of the feed,
need to know the vital nutrient content that's listed on the tag sewn into bottom of feed bag.

Do not put OS in with feed, put it in a separate feeder available at all times.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @lilgreene19
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