34 week old hens that have never laid

[PeachygirlGA]

I've been raising chickens for 13 years now and for the first time I've got these new hens that have never started laying! I bought 4 black australorp chicks from Tractor Supply in late March. In September 2 of them started to lay. They look exactly the same so I'm really not sure which 2 are laying and they are extremely skittish. My other 2 older hens stopped laying in October so I'm only getting 2 small eggs a day. I've never had young hens that just never started laying. What could be wrong with them?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Many hens do not lay daily, so are you sure they aren't just taking turns laying? Especially since it's hard to tell them apart.

I've had some take 8-10 months to start laying. Pullets will mature slower in fall. Some of mine from late March are still not laying either. So perhaps it's something this year.

 

[PeachygirlGA]

I thought of that, but I’ve never gotten more than 2 from these 4, so I tend to think only 2 are laying. It’s very odd since I’ve never had this happen. I’ve been getting chicks in the spring for years and they always lay by now. Might be something this year! The 2 that are laying, the eggs are very pale yolk.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I thought of that, but I’ve never gotten more than 2 from these 4, so I tend to think only 2 are laying. It’s very odd since I’ve never had this happen. I’ve been getting chicks in the spring for years and they always lay by now. Might be something this year! The 2 that are laying, the eggs are very pale yolk.

I have 24 from March and I am only getting 2-4 eggs a day. Mine aren't exactly production breeds, but I did expect more by now. I keep looking around for a hidden nest site, but so far I haven't found one.