"8" Month Old hen still not laying - Why oh why?

[Halli]

Hello!

I recently (3 weeks ago) bought a hen from a very nice gentleman on craigslist. He said she was 8 months old (so now she is pushing 9 months) and she was/is incredibly healthy. Marie is beautiful and is a very fat lady but she still hasn't given me any eggs. I am not entirely sure what breed she is but am leaning toward a new Hampshire red (any guesses?). We live in Southern California and the weather is fabulous. My old NHR and BR used to lay through the winter in northern Cali.

Is it normal for them not to lay for this long? Of course I am dying in anticipation...

I've been feeding her grower feed because the other girls are too young for the layer feed (16 weeks, 10 weeks and 8 weeks) but she has plenty of access to oyster shell (which is still pretty large by the way, do I need to grind it?).

Here are some pics of Marie. I don't think I was duped with an older hen but you never can tell...

Any advice?


Marie is the one on the left. Her sister is on the right (went to a different home). She isn't laying either.





Thanks!

Halli

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Some chickens take longer to lay, but also she had the stress of the move. Often after hens are moved they will stop laying for several weeks. So, be patient. Sounds like you're managing things well. No need to grind up the oyster shell.

 

[Halli]

Thanks Yay Chicks! Do you have any idea what type of hen she is?

 

[PSJ]

Just the stress of the move I'm sure! Give some apple cider vinegar in the water. In a few weeks, you should be getting eggs!

 

[Halli]

Apple cider vinegar huh? I'll have to try that! Thanks PSJ!

I did the arithmatec and it seems like she is 37wks and 5 days old if I can trust the guy I got her from...

How many weeks does it normally take to get used to a new environment?

 

[PSJ]

I got 6 hens from a man that was down sizing... It took them 3 weeks to a month to adjust but it is different for all birds. Good luck!

 

[Halli]

How much apple cider vinegar should I put in the water?

 

[PSJ]

1tablespoon per gallon

How much apple cider vinegar should I put in the water?

 

[Halli]

Still watching and waiting. She is an estimated 39 weeks old and has been at my house for just over four weeks. She has shown no signs of starting to lay. She did stop picking on the smaller girls though so that is good. I thought she was going to have to go...

We added the apple cider vinegar and started using poultry nipples on the bottom of plastic pitchers (they love it). I was holding out hope for an easter egg but no luck. At this rate, my EE may get there before she does!

Happy hunting!

 

[aggiemae]

One of our hens hatched 4/12 didn't start laying until this Feburary...it's a good thing she was to pretty to stew.

These are her eggs:

I put a spoon of ACV in a gallon of water. Too much can't hurt but they would drink as much. You will need to use a plastic waterer.