7 chickens 0 eggs

[Dinosaur Village Keeper]

Got my first ever 7 chickens and one rooster a month ago. I was told they were 1 year old, but I don’t trust the kid I got them from. The conditions he had them in were unacceptable to me. They were constantly sneezing when I got them, and the Silkie roosters butt was caked with poop on his entire backside. Poopy butt finally cleared up they are just sneezing occasionally. They free range all day and go into the coop on their own at night. They seem happy wandering around all day. I’m feeding them layer food and they share about a cup of scratch each day because they love it. The only place they could hide eggs is under a row of arborvitae trees they love to hang out under. I have tried my best to look there for eggs under all of the leaves that have blown in. Do they bury them?? They are supposed to be barred Plymouth rock and buff Orpington. I know nothing about chicks, but can easily tell they are just mixes. I don’t care if they only lay a few eggs a week, but zero eggs isn’t so great! Is it possible I will never get a single egg and these will just be pooping lawn ornaments?

 

[Evelyn Walker]

First things that came to mind:

• They are still acclimating to their new home.
• They are older than a year.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

First things that came to mind:

• They are still acclimating to their new home.
• They are older than a year.

Hmm, maybe x2.

 

[Acre4Me]

I see black on the chickens beak. Is there something on her beak, because it looks foreign, not part of her beak.

They may still be acclimating, I agree. They may be older or younger than told. They may have had a poor diet and are just getting their systems primed for eggs with better nutrition. They may be older, but the chick in pic looks not so old.

 

[pennyJo1960]

The legs I see are not that old but also sneezing could be sick and the old owner never got them well

 

[Compost King]

I would stop giving them layer feed until they start laying, probably a high protein meat bird feed until they are fully recovered from their lousy conditions. After the first egg give them the egg layer feed. Thats not what you absolutely have to do, it might not even be the best thing to do, it's just what I would do.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Might even help them regenerate themselves

 

[Compost King]

Its also November, they may not lay until spring, I have breeds that shut down for winter and these might just be a spring and summer only laying breed. Although if they have Barred Rock and Buff Orp in them they likely lay in winter. I can't see either of those breeds in that one picture. Some people are really good at figure out breeds from pictures and can say what they are or what they are likely a mix of.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have new birds young 18 weeks they probably will not lay till spring just gets dark too early

 

[50-45-1]

its possible since you are free ranging that they are still laying but not where you can find the eggs.
do you have nest boxes for your girls in the coop? if so, try adding some golf balls and lots of straw to make them desirable areas for egg laying. Laying eggs outside and searching every bush, nook and cranny for eggs in not practical for long term.
i dont think the hen pictured looks old or unhealthy.
not sure where you are located but most chickens will reduce or stop egg laying in the colder months. molting also will interrupt egg laying.
not sure about the sneezing thing. just feed them a healthy diet and they will reward you eventually.