33 week pulled not laying

[judevie]

Hi all,
I have 2 pullets that are now 33 weeks old and are yet to start laying. I have a mixed flock of 11 hens. I have 3 hens that are 4 years old, 4 hens that are 2 years old, and 4 that are 33 weeks old. Two of the youngest started laying about 6 weeks ago so i switched to layer feed. Now the last two seem like theyre never going to start.
My question is, am I giving the wrong feed?

 

[chickens really]

I never feed layer feed...I feed Grower to all my Bird and oyster shell on the side. Some layer feeds don't have enough protein for certain Birds.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

What breed are your pullet’s @judevie?
Do they seem healthy and ok in all other regards?

 

[judevie]

What breed are your pullet’s @judevie?
Do they seem healthy and ok in all other regards?

The 4 pullets are 2 EE, 1 BO, and 1 SLW.
The 2 that haven't started laying are the SLW, and 1 EE.
Otherwise, they seem quite happy and healthy. Other than a attempted hawk attack about 4 weeks ago, during which the SLW lost some back feathers, but they were all uninjured.... wondering if the stress played a role?

 

[judevie]

I never feed layer feed...I feed Grower to all my Bird and oyster shell on the side. Some layer feeds don't have enough protein for certain Birds.

Would grower be recommended for the older hens as well? We do offer oyster shell.

 

[chickens really]

Would grower be recommended for the older hens as well? We do offer oyster shell.

Yes...That's all I feed to all my Birds is Grower including my Rooster. I have a huge Brahma/Ameruacana Rooster and Orpington Hens. Plus two Pullets. I feed small treats once or twice a week plus let them out daily to forage for about an hour or two...I have a Fox problem..Plus oyster shell too..

 

[PirateGirl]

You are welcome to join our group of duds! You are not alone and many others have chickens the same age (or older) that are not yet laying. I'm not sure if the public shaming really gets the girls to lay, but one by one the duds of the group have started laying now that days are growing longer.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-contest-for-the-duds.1206150/

Also, pics of your pullets might help others help you determine if they look ready to lay. If you are in the northern hemisphere it's still mid-winter with short days, so regular laying (even from your laying birds) might not exactly happen this time of year.

I've seen much debate over layer vs. grower. Personally, I've switched to layer, but I found one that is 18% protein (like grower) so I feel I'm getting the best of both worlds.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

The 4 pullets are 2 EE, 1 BO, and 1 SLW.
The 2 that haven't started laying are the SLW, and 1 EE.
Otherwise, they seem quite happy and healthy. Other than a attempted hawk attack about 4 weeks ago, during which the SLW lost some back feathers, but they were all uninjured.... wondering if the stress played a role?

Sorry to hear about your hawk attack. We have some buzzards round us and they were circling above the day, eyeing up my little birds!
The stress could certainly have played a part in their delayed egg laying. All are different and get their egg laying machines in order at different time so if they seem happy and good health I would not be too worried.

 

[Latestarter]

Not sure where you're located (Please put at least your general location in your profile... makes it easier when you ask/give help/advice) but it's winter here (even in TX). Many breeds shut down during winter, so being young birds, they may have just delayed starting until the days get a bit longer.

 

[judevie]

Not sure where you're located (Please put at least your general location in your profile... makes it easier when you ask/give help/advice) but it's winter here (even in TX). Many breeds shut down during winter, so being young birds, they may have just delayed starting until the days get a bit longer.

Got it, thanks. I didnt realize my location wasn't showing up. We're in Iowa.