31 weeks old & ZERO eggs (Bielefelders & Australorpes as of Nov 21st.)

[Goldwingnut]

This will only be my 2nd Winter as a Chicken Keeper. So there's that.

I lost all of my first batch to predators, mostly...but EXTREME hot weather played a role in 2 more hens untimely deaths. They were around a year and a half old, and were just a barnyard mix. Prolific layers, and VERY interesting personalities. I hatched them myself.

I.
Am.
Hooked.

I need my NEW gals to give me some eggs soon. I'm almost out of water-glassed eggs.

4 Bielefelders, and 3 Australorpes. 31 weeks old, today.

Plus one older roo.

I'm not willing to wait til late winter until the days get longer, IF...I can add artificial lighting....just to jumpstart the process.

They have a large run (now protected by Premiere 1 Poultry Netting) and a 6X10 "coop" which is actually a modified Suskovich-style Chicken Tractor. It has panels installed for winter.


Any ideas?

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Your Australorp seems behind the times. Bielefelders take forever, all the while gorging themselves on feed.
My Bielefelders didn’t lay until 8 months old, which was Nov, and it was maybe 1-2 eggs a week through Dec and Jan. At their peak in Spring they laid 3-4 per week, then tapered off for a summer molt. Last winter they stopped (not light supp). This year the 1 remaining Bielefelder laid 1-2 a week in Spring but stopped in September. In her lifetime, she laid 205 eggs and is 2 yrs 7 months. They are friendly, and roosters are super cool, but (IMHO) not worth the time if you want eggs for consumption.

My only Australorp pullet hatched April 1, laid first egg Sept 1; small- medium at best. Stopped laying 10/19 and went very broody- no eggs since.

Food for thought- look at adding a few production breeds for egg consumption if you have the space.
I added 3 TSC something-‘stars’ that turned out to be consistent layers of large white/cream eggs. They started laying at 4 months, still laying. Each one so far has given 70-so eggs, and take a day off once every 2 weeks.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree with NorthwoodsChick. Bielefelders mature slowly, do not lay well. I have had good luck with BA's, but they tend to really drop in production for me in year 3. Both of these are considered dual purpose, which sounds like a good idea, but in reality is they are not real good for either eggs or meat.

I also agree, add some egg layers - production reds, or the stars. Lay a lot of eggs. If you want some chicken meat - order some meat birds. The dual purpose are fine, if they are not all you have.

Mrs K