Arizona Chickens

[MissLavender]

Wow...thank you all for your support and advice! I am taking notes. When do your hens usually start laying again?

 

[Michelle Guynn]

Matilda was 1.8 kilograms today at the vet. Took her in to be sure she is ok from the wryneck. She is the picture of health he said and spent a lot of time with me answering questions. Glen Palm is where I took her. She is out free ranging with Emma and the babies. Waiting for Bo’s parents to come get him cleaning pens out today. I love my days off. Oh and waiting for Hazel to lay her egg so she can go out.

 

[Michelle Guynn]

Silkies are late bloomers. Emma laid her first egg at almost 9 months. Matilda is 7 months and still no eggs.

 

[FeatherPugs]

Usually it depends on the breed of chicken you have. Most of mine have laid their eggs average between 20 to 24 weeks. At 18 weeks you can begin layer feed with oyster shell on the side.

 

[MissLavender]

My hens are all between 1.5 and 2 yrs old, and I think they're done for the season...I probably should have been more specific! I guess my question was: When adult laying hens stop laying for the season, about what time of year do they start laying again in this region? I know it varies from one individual to the next, but what would you say is a good "ballpark estimate?" February? March?

 

[meetthebubus]

My hens are all between 1.5 and 2 yrs old, and I think they're done for the season...I probably should have been more specific! I guess my question was: When adult laying hens stop laying for the season, about what time of year do they start laying again in this region? I know it varies from one individual to the next, but what would you say is a good "ballpark estimate?" February? March?

In my experience mine have never stopped laying, I have a lot of layers though. They all have taken breaks, just not at the same time. Here I would say around 2 weeks after my hen has finished regrowing feathers after molt, she starts to lay again. So this year my buffs started molt in August so I got a couple of weak eggs (shell weak) then nothing until beginning of October, they don't lay a lot, but out of those 6 layers I get 1 or 2 a day they are 2 and 1/2 yesrs old.

So I mean they don't stop for winter, just slow down, it's not too cold here so they don't need much energy to keep warm and we still have 11 hour days. I give them lots of yummy colder weather treats during winter like steemed whole fresh corn kernels, cabbage, scratch, etc.

 

[BlueBaby]

@Michelle Guynn WOW! I didn't realize how small, poundage wise, the Silkies were. Very cool.

Neither did I. You learn something new everyday, and that is why we join this site, isn't it? To learn!

 

[BlueBaby]

Sorry, I've been so quite today. I've been out in the coop and pen. I discovered that some fire ant's had a mound going in one of my chick grow out pens. 3 chicks in there were dead and covered with those ants. I removed the rest of the chicks from that pen, and put them in the other pen that I used to use for my extra roo's. Now I have to get back in there to take care of those darned ant's!

 

[Geranium]

@BlueBaby ohhhh no how awful.

 

[nicollee]

Morning everyone, enjoying the amazing weather in our “city farm” rose garden.. The flock will get the rose petals as a treat once they are about to drop.. spoiled brat’s. They better start laying since they have been free loaders for about 1 month..View attachment 1565251View attachment 1565252

Wow you've been gona awhile.... where did you move to??

Sorry, I've been so quite today. I've been out in the coop and pen. I discovered that some fire ant's had a mound going in one of my chick grow out pens. 3 chicks in there were dead and covered with those ants. I removed the rest of the chicks from that pen, and put them in the other pen that I used to use for my extra roo's. Now I have to get back in there to take care of those darned ant's!

That's awful..... I'm so sorry...... Hope the rest are ok!!