4 hens not laying for last 2 months!!!! Can I blame the Brush Turkey??

[Mutter Gans]

I have four beautiful hens of different varieties, aged between 30 wks to 2 years. Not one of them is laying! They get a diet of layers pellets, have a big garden to scratch around in,and are healthy. One has just finished a moult & none are broody. I am at a loss. I bought the 30wk old Isa in the hope she'd remind them what their job is...she laid one egg on the premises 4 weeks ago, and that was the last one. We do have a native brush turkey (female) that hangs around with them, used to get in their coop and eat their eggs, they started laying elsewhere, but then went back to laying in the coop. I have searched high and low for stashes of eggs with no luck, plus Im not hearing the familiar 'im laying an egg' clucking. Legally we can't catch & move the brush turkey (hasn't stopped me trying!). They seem to co-exist ok, and mostly they just scratch around together. Ive read articles, but none of it seems to apply to my girls. WHAT AM I MISSING???? I've given them a stern talking to...to no avail!

 

[boskelli1571]

Oy! Well, since you have searched for hidden stashes, here's some other thoughts.....snakes/rodents will steal eggs, have the hens had a change of scenery/diet/shock/new introductions? How is your weather? They will lay less if they are hot and the coop is like an oven. I would try upping their protein to 18% for a few weeks and see if it makes a difference. Lastly, anything they could have gotten into to put them off lay (think toxic plants). Keep us posted,

 

[Mutter Gans]

Thanks...nothing is new other than the little Isa Brown, and they've settled in together very quickly having been given the advice of putting the newbie in the coop after dark. I thought it was a bonkers idea...but it worked! I think if I woke up with someone new in my bed overnight, I'd kinda notice.

 

[boskelli1571]

Thanks...nothing is new other than the little Isa Brown, and they've settled in together very quickly having been given the advice of putting the newbie in the coop after dark. I thought it was a bonkers idea...but it worked! I think if I woke up with someone new in my bed overnight, I'd kinda notice.

This may be what has upset them, give them some more time - they are punishing you!

 

[aart]

I'd confine the chickens to coop and run for a week or so.......might also discourage the turkey from hanging around?

 

[anam]

my hens are also not laying and its very hot here what do you suggest

 

[boskelli1571]

my hens are also not laying and its very hot here what do you suggest

Give them plenty of shade, a cool mister, small pool of water to stand in, frozen fruit treats for them to peck at - all will help to keep them cooler. Is their coop in the shade? if not can you move it for them?