Are these roos or hens

[jgarcia883]

All are mature, or very nearly mature pullets. The red combs and wattles indicate that they are just about ready to start laying.

So is there anything i can do to help them want to start laying? Theyre about 5/6 months old. But here in cali its starting to get dark around 7pm im giving them a laying pellet and veggi food plan. They also have a gamefowl mix rooster in there to mate them.

 

[BirdManOK]

So is there anything i can do to help them want to start laying? Theyre about 5/6 months old. But here in cali its starting to get dark around 7pm im giving them a laying pellet and veggi food plan. They also have a gamefowl mix rooster in there to mate them.

Yes, wait until February...

Nah, but seriously, you could try artificial light in their coop. Not sure it would work, but definitely by Mid-February...

 

[jgarcia883]

Yes, wait until February...    

Nah, but seriously, you could try artificial light in their coop.  Not sure it would work, but definitely by Mid-February...

Is that like laying time?

 

[BirdManOK]

Is that like laying time?

It's when the day light hours start to lengthen significantly again. Layers that mature this time of year often wait until then to start laying.

They could still start anytime, and adding artificial lighting might help them start... but it's hit-or-miss.

Good luck, either way... You'll eventually get your eggs.

 

[junebuggena]

So is there anything i can do to help them want to start laying? Theyre about 5/6 months old. But here in cali its starting to get dark around 7pm im giving them a laying pellet and veggi food plan. They also have a gamefowl mix rooster in there to mate them.

A rooster will not make them lay sooner. However, if there isn't enough space, he may cause too much stress and have a negative impact on production. Layer feed is intended to be the sole diet. It has just barely enough protein in it to support egg production. When too many treats are offered, they don't get enough protein to produce eggs. Feeding layer too soon can slow down on set of lay. Growing and maturing birds need the higher protein content of a grower feed. It also has too much calcium for roosters.

 

[AmandaMBG]

The longer I have my chickens the more convinced I am that sticking with grower and feeding calcium on the side is the best way to go. Days are shortening here but my pullets are all still starting to lay and have beautiful thick shells even for their first eggs. We've had one thin shelled egg and it was a double yolker first egg. i don't think I'll ever feed layer. Just not enough protein to maintain a healthy flock. From what I've heard it can take girls a minute to get adjusted to a new place. I'd just give them a little more time.

 

[AmandaMBG]

Also may I add it looks like your black sex link is molting her tail feathers. She will not lay until she is done growing those feathers back. They take a lot of protein and energy to grow.

 

[jgarcia883]

Also may I add it looks like your black sex link is molting her tail feathers. She will not lay until she is done growing those feathers back. They take a lot of protein and energy to grow.

Yeah shes been dropping alot of her tail feathers.

 

[jgarcia883]

Is there anything i can do for them to bulk up? I herd from a neighbor that my astrialorp is under weight as of 5/6 months old.

 

[junebuggena]

None of them look like they are underfed or too small. Just switch out the layer feed for a grower type feed. They need the higher protein content if they are still undergoing juvenile molting.