8 or 9 month old chickens questions

[crazyh717]

I got my chickens this February. And here in New Mexico the days are still warm, gonna reach mid 80s today.
But my question is about them not laying, I have 4 roosters ( trying to get rid of three) and 8 hens.
None of them are laying.
Try are being fed Dailey, with laying pellets and a little of scratch.
They get plenty of sunlight as the sides and walls of the coop are just chicken wire.
I have looled in here about problems with hens not laying and made sure I was doing everything good on my part.
I am not sure what kind they are.

I am wondering if they all are going to just be late layers or not lay till next year.

I am new to raising them so I am learning as much as I can and improving where I am lacking.
So any help or extra info will be appreciated
Yes I have looked on here on different forums and on the net, but there is never better help then the people who are raising now and gone thru it.
Sorry if there are typos my 10 month old baby is trying to steal my phone

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Hi there!
One of the first things to do that may help with when you might expect eggs is to identify the breeds you have - as you are not sure, it would be helpful if you would take photos of the birds and post them here so we can identify them for you. In addition to determining breed, the photos will allow us to see your birds and get a good idea of how they look in regards to nearness of egg-production.
One thing that you are already working to address that can contribute to egg production issues is that the imbalance of gender ratios in your flock *may* be causing stress on your hens. Are the roosters currently actively mating the hens? If so, are you seeing any signs of over-mating (photos will also help us look for this)?
It sounds like your birds are confined 24/7, is that accurate? If so, can you share with us a bit about the coop and run - dimensions, etc? Is water available to the birds at all times? Dehydration is an often overlooked cause of production problems and can occur much more quickly that some folks realize so that even a period of time during the day without water can have a negative effect on some birds.
You mention feeding daily - how much are you feeding? Are you free feeding with a full feeder that is kept topped off with layer ration at all times and then tossing out scratch occasionally, tossing out a mix of layer ration and scratch periodically throughout the day, mixing scratch directly into a feeder of layer ration or? The answers here will be even more important if your flock is kept confined at all times as that eliminates their ability to seek nutrition outside of what is being offered through your feed program.

 

[junebuggena]

I got my chickens this February. And here in New Mexico the days are still warm, gonna reach mid 80s today.
But my question is about them not laying, I have 4 roosters ( trying to get rid of three) and 8 hens.
None of them are laying.
Try are being fed Dailey, with laying pellets and a little of scratch.
They get plenty of sunlight as the sides and walls of the coop are just chicken wire.
I have looled in here about problems with hens not laying and made sure I was doing everything good on my part.
I am not sure what kind they are.

I am wondering if they all are going to just be late layers or not lay till next year.

I am new to raising them so I am learning as much as I can and improving where I am lacking.
So any help or extra info will be appreciated
Yes I have looked on here on different forums and on the net, but there is never better help then the people who are raising now and gone thru it.
Sorry if there are typos my 10 month old baby is trying to steal my phone

Layer feed is for actively laying birds only. Switch to a grower or all flock. Layer feed has a lower protein content and too much calcium for non-producing birds. Starting layer too soon can slow down development. It will also cause serious damage to kidneys.
How much space do your birds have? 4 cockerels is a lot and maybe causing too much stress for production.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi.

Great advice and questions from both posters before me! I second their posts.

 

[crazyh717]

Hi there!
One of the first things to do that may help with when you might expect eggs is to identify the breeds you have - as you are not sure, it would be helpful if you would take photos of the birds and post them here so we can identify them for you.  In addition to determining breed, the photos will allow us to see your birds and get a good idea of how they look in regards to nearness of egg-production.
One thing that you are already working to address that can contribute to egg production issues is that the imbalance of gender ratios in your flock *may* be causing stress on your hens.  Are the roosters currently actively mating the hens?  If so, are you seeing any signs of over-mating (photos will also help us look for this)? 
It sounds like your birds are confined 24/7, is that accurate?  If so, can you share with us a bit about the coop and run - dimensions, etc?  Is water available to the birds at all times?  Dehydration is an often overlooked cause of production problems and can occur much more quickly that some folks realize so that even a period of time during the day  without water can have a negative effect on some birds. 
You mention feeding daily - how much are you feeding?  Are you free feeding with a full feeder that is kept topped off with layer ration at all times and then tossing out scratch occasionally, tossing out a mix of layer ration and scratch periodically throughout the day, mixing scratch directly into a feeder of layer ration or?    The answers here will be even more important if your flock is kept confined at all times as that eliminates their ability to seek nutrition outside of what is being offered through your feed program.

I'm going to respond to both. Heading outside to get pictures. Yes they are in an enclosed coop because we tried free range but lost most of the flock due to coyotes.
I did not know that about layer feed, I will switch it asap and let me get pictures.
Yes always clean water and food available.
The dimensions of the coop is 20ft long 25ft. wide

 

[crazyh717]

Sorry I had to post for I was done my baby decided she wanted to before I can go outside

 

[crazyh717]

2 of the black and brown chested ones on the left and one one on the right

2 of these

 

[chickens really]

Your Birds are over 18 weeks so the layer will not harm them...Best to have waited but not a 911....Start them on a grower now till your first egg...Cut down on treats and the Roosters could be stressing out the hens and that is why they have not laid eggs yet...

Cheers!

 

[crazyh717]

one of these

one of these

and one of these
I think I got them all,

 

[crazyh717]

Your Birds are over 18 weeks so the layer will not harm them...Best to have waited but not a 911....Start them on a grower now till your first egg...Cut down on treats and the Roosters could be stressing out the hens and that is why they have not laid eggs yet...

Cheers!

Alright cool thank you, we started them on layer because my turkeys started laying eggs and it is what we also bought for them.
But I will switch back to grower as I do not want to harm them. And cut down on the scratch? Correct?
And the extra roosters we are goig to let out of the coop since no one wants any. We are just keeping the multi colored rooster.