21 week old hens not laying

[Melky]

I agree with the others, the amount of daylight hours is what stimulates the production of an egg so if your days are short then eggs will be fewer. As they are still babes they are probably a bit confused. Give them time.
In the meantime you could give them poultry spice and apple cider vinegar to get them in tip top condition with garlic powder for keep their important passages healthy and clear. May be worth worming them too, do you do that routinely? Do you have grit/oyster shell for them ? Are you giving them layers or just grain ?

Regular deworming is not recommended for chickens. Chickens can build resistance to dewormers then when you do have them they may be resistant to treatment.

 

[Melky]

Since we selectively free range them, I don't give them grit too often. I see then pick up small pebbles and stones from the driveway. I mix acv in with their water. I didn't know about the garlic! Do I just sprinkle it in with their food? I haven't started oyster shells bc I read that it isn't good for them unless they are laying bc the extra calcium could be harmful unless they need it. Currently they are just on grower/finisher crumbles and some cracked corn on cold evenings... With some meal worms mixed in for occasional treats! I have mixed some diatomaceous earth in their dust bath and also their bedding.

You should offer grit free choice all the time as they may not get enough from free ranging in the environment to aid digestion.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Regular deworming is not recommended for chickens. Chickens can build resistance to dewormers then when you do have them they may be resistant to treatment.

I agree but more accurately, the worms build resistance, not the chickens.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Most respondents have accurately hit on the cause being day length.
For the OP and followers of this thread, I'll contribute the science behind it that I have posted on BYC over the years.
Light exposure to the retina is first relayed to the nucleus of the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that coordinates biological clock signals. Fibers from there descend to the spinal cord and then project to the superior cervical ganglia, from which neurons ascend back to the pineal gland. The pineal gland translates signals from the nervous system into a hormonal signal.
When light periods are shorter, the gland produces serotonin and subsequently, melatonin. That's the hormone that affects the gonads for sperm production in males and ovulation in females. An increase in melatonin causes the gonads to become inactive.
Photoperiod, in relation to day vs. night, is the most important clue for animals to determine season. And by extension, when to reproduce.
Cold really has very little to do with egg production. The same thing happens whether it is a cold or warm climate.
As light lengthens, the gonads are rejuvenated. The duration of melatonin secretion each day is directly proportional to the length of the night because of the pineal gland's ability to measure daylength. Besides reproduction, it also affects sleep timing and blood pressure regulation.
So as the light period increases, in relation to the dark period, it stimulates reproduction and - voila - EGGS.

 

[proudmommie31]

Most respondents have accurately hit on the cause being day length.
For the OP and followers of this thread, I'll contribute the science behind it that I have posted on BYC over the years.
Light exposure to the retina is first relayed to the nucleus of the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that coordinates biological clock signals. Fibers from there descend to the spinal cord and then project to the superior cervical ganglia, from which neurons ascend back to the pineal gland. The pineal gland translates signals from the nervous system into a hormonal signal.
When light periods are shorter, the gland produces serotonin and subsequently, melatonin. That's the hormone that affects the gonads for sperm production in males and ovulation in females. An increase in melatonin causes the gonads to become inactive.
Photoperiod, in relation to day vs. night, is the most important clue for animals to determine season. And by extension, when to reproduce.
Cold really has very little to do with egg production. The same thing happens whether it is a cold or warm climate.
As light lengthens, the gonads are rejuvenated. The duration of melatonin secretion each day is directly proportional to the length of the night because of the pineal gland's ability to measure daylength. Besides reproduction, it also affects sleep timing and blood pressure regulation.
So as the light period increases, in relation to the dark period, it stimulates reproduction and - voila - EGGS.

That! Most chickens start laying around 24-26 weeks, in my experience. But when they reach that age and its dark short days......you'll be waiting still. If you don't want to add supplemental lighting in your coop there's not much you can do but wait and dream of spring time eggs

 

[Chickassan]

Faverolles take up to and past 32 weeks, you're going to be waiting a while for those. My spring pullet hatched in March just started laying at the end of November so you have a timeline.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It may be spring eggs - but likely much sooner.
Everyone should remember it has nothing to do with ambient temperature for most breeds and to keep in mind that in the Northern Hemisphere, light period will begin increasing in 12 more days and nights will be shortening. So some (and I count myself in that group) will likely start getting eggs in January so keep checking those nest boxes so they don't freeze.

At my latitude and longitude, December 22 will be a second longer than the 21st. January 31st will be 36 minutes longer.

I've been averaging about 2 eggs a day from 20 hens ranging from 18 months to 6 years and a bunch of pullets approaching POL. I expect to be awash in eggs by the middle to end of January.

By the same token, those in the Southern Hemisphere will begin to experience molt in their mature flocks and eventually, laying will fall off.

 

[DontKnow-Lost]

anyone recommending artificial light, say from 2-3am? Or will it hurt the rest. My chickens are used to go out early so they'll have to stay for 4 hours inside.

 

[aart]

anyone recommending artificial light, say from 2-3am? Or will it hurt the rest. My chickens are used to go out early so they'll have to stay for 4 hours inside.

If you use supplemental lighting, make sure they have feed and water available when the lights are on. Have light come on at the time that will give them ~14 hours of light daily in your locale, use a timer so it stays consistent.
There's much dissension as to how this affects the birds long term,
so your due diligence by reading all the pros and cons, then decide for yourself.

 

[proudmommie31]

anyone recommending artificial light, say from 2-3am? Or will it hurt the rest. My chickens are used to go out early so they'll have to stay for 4 hours inside.

I use lighting. I go by the rule of 14 hours a day total light. So I have a timer and adjust it periodically during the winter (as days grow longer) so that it comes on early enough add the hours needed. Currently it comes on a 3am. I have food and water in the coop at all times. I had done my research years ago and it works for us. Our chickens though are not pets, they have a job. My hubby ordered a really nice heavy duty timer for 14? On amazon. Keeping the light consistent is important and there will be mornings you forget to go plug it in otherwise.