4 hens about 24 weeks old not laying

[BalesBgarb]

Hi everyone I have 4 types of hens all hatched around the end of March. One day 2 weeks ago we got 4 eggs! Our first eggs ever. So excited. We’ve literally had since then 1 egg every other day. What has happened? I’m clueless this is my first time as a hen owner and everything seems to be going great. I feed them kalmbach 17% clause crumbles. Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Many hens don't lay daily, especially this time of year. You will see your best production next spring under increasing daylight. Until than egg laying will be sporadic and at a decreased rate in first season pullets unless they are a higher production breed. Than you may get a few more eggs.

 

[aart]

Do you free range?

 

[BalesBgarb]

Do you free range?

No I’m scared. Mother in laws dogs are insane and I can’t chase chickens down every time she decided to let them loose. They have a huge run and then their coop is inside. Any ideas? It’s just weird that only 1 is laying. Weather is beautiful plenty of daylight. Should I put a light in their coop?

 

[Chicalina]

Personally, I think putting a light in the coop and forcing them to lay more eggs in a shorter time span than they would naturally just wears their bodies out sooner and they live shorter lives. This may or may not be statically true but it makes logical sense to me.

 

[aart]

They have a huge run and then their coop is inside. Any ideas? It’s just weird that only 1 is laying. Weather is beautiful plenty of daylight. Should I put a light in their coop?

I wouldn't jump right to lighting the coop.
Tell us more about your coop and run, dimensions and pics.
Current pics of the birds might help too.

Do you feed anything other than this?

I feed them kalmbach 17% clause crumbles.

What does "clause" mean?

Maybe give an exam to see.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Personally, I think putting a light in the coop and forcing them to lay more eggs in a shorter time span than they would naturally just wears their bodies out sooner and they live shorter lives. This may or may not be statically true but it makes logical sense to me.

Lights can be managed so it is not detrimental to the birds overall health.
But this is not the place to debate that.

 

[Chicalina]

Lights can be managed so it is not detrimental to the birds overall health.
But this is not the place to debate that.

Since the OP asked about it, perhaps it is!

My personal preference would be not to light the coop, esp if they are laying machine breeds, because I favour more natural methods and I've lost RSL hens to egg issues in the past, but I'm sure plenty would disagree. I'm always interested in alternative opinions and rationale for them. Perhaps that would help the OP decide.

OP, what breed are they, sorry if I missed that already? Some breeds reach laying age very late.

 

[Chicalina]

Just scrolled back up to the photo. Lav Orp, EEs and a white rock or LH? Sorry, can't see them too closely.

 

[BalesBgarb]

Here’s my girls and the chicken mansion lavender orp, white rock I think, one is a hybrid of something from the farmer, and the other americauna

 

[Lavendar4]

rat snake getting into the nesting boxes?