What kind of chickens do you have? Seems like a LOT of people are having delayed layers. 30 weeks. Eek! If the weather were cooler I would keep the ducks locked in all day one day to see. But it's 100 degrees outside and hotter than that in their house so I can't. If my chickens don't lay this month- it's a huge possibility they won't lay until next year. :| So frustrating.
Goodness- that is exactly what WE do too! No eggs! My chickens are spoiled. Almost daily yums of salad, tomatoes, greens from the kitchen...misters to stay cool, a tree that they love to roost in during the day...fallen fruits from the orchard to nibble on during the day. No eggs? Come on chickens! Hope yours start laying soon. I have 2 EEs and I read a lot that they lay at 20+ weeks old a lot of times. I get so envious of all these people with 16/17 wk old chickens laying! haha!not sure of breeds. i know that 2 are EEs. the other 2 are in the first 2 pics below. hasnt been as hot here as it has been back in June/July. If I have to wait through the winter, I think Ill be having chicken dinner before I have eggs.....lol. They sleep in a coop that is open on three sides and I let them out in the morning and they come back in at night on they're own. free range all day. feed for breakfast and dinner. that's why i was checking all over the yard, but got may answer when they were locked up yesterday.
(these pics are from July.)
We went to a meeting about raising chickens the other night. We were told if hens eat either tomatoes or potatoes they will likely stope laying. He said sometimes hens will still lay after eating those things, but not often. I have read that raw potatoes are a no-no, but am not sure if once they're cooked they still have that affect. Just a thought.
We plan on adding leghorns next year! We have all non-hatchery heritage breeds currently (minus our 2 EEs) and I knew they would take longer laying than hatchery strains. But the wait it killing me! lolI have some leghorns that are coming up on 17 weeks, and I hear that they are early layers. maybe ill get some from them soon too
Mine don't get potatoes. I had never read or heard that about tomatoes. It seems to be a favorite chicken treat for many backyarders. I will look into this- thanks!
I believe it is the tomato and potato plants(night shade family) that are toxic to chickens,humans,dogs etc etc, actual potatoes raw are not good because of indigestability factors, Rhubarb plants too. All these things in small ammounts won't kill but long term effects over time hmmmm? I pulled my rhubarb late in the season cause they started eating the leaves in large quantity. Now they have plucked all my tomatoes off the plants but they don't seem to touch the vines or leaves! Theyd be dead if the actual tomatoes were poison LOL jalapenos too!! although like the others I think it's the plant not the fruit that is toxic.
