Australop Hen Laying

[Elifberkel]

hi Chicken Lovers!
I got my Australop hen (Yolko Ono) 2 months ago, and the gentlemen I got her from said she was 9 months old. Until now she has not layed! She is very active, healthy and the dominant female in the gang. Here is what she looks like rigt now. When I check laying Australop hens on the internet, I see that their combs and wattles are bigger and redder. Any ideas? Thanks a lot in advance to all.
Elif

 

[ChickenCanoe]

So she hatched last January. What part of the world are you in?
If you are in the northern hemisphere, it is probably a combination of the stress of the move and declining day length.
I assume you haven't added light to your coop.
Winter solstice will be in 5 days. After that days will be getting longer and that usually kick starts them.
I'd be careful feeding layer feed to an 11 month old bird that hasn't laid an egg.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!

She may have been laying before you got her,
but the stress of moving coupled with the short days is not conducive to laying.
She'll start back up after the solstice.....how long after remains to be seen.

What other birds do you have?

 

[SueT]

Welcome to BYC....and ditto what they said. She may even wait till spring. Let us know...Good luck!

 

[alexa009]

I had ordered my Australorp of a hatchery in the spring and didn't lay until t he summer when she was 4.5 months. You should wait till the spring with yours when the weather warms up.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

@Elifberkel Please let us know when you get the first egg.
How has your bird adjusted to her new flock?
Aorps are very good layers. An 11 month old doesn't need warm weather to lay. Good nutrition, housing and getting along with the others, I'd expect laying by the end of January or early February.

 

[Elifberkel]

So she hatched last January. What part of the world are you in?
If you are in the northern hemisphere, it is probably a combination of the stress of the move and declining day length.
I assume you haven't added light to your coop.
Winter solstice will be in 5 days. After that days will be getting longer and that usually kick starts them.
I'd be careful feeding layer feed to an 11 month old bird that hasn't laid an egg.

Hi there! thanks for your reply. I live in the United Arab Emirates. Although we do not have the long summer days, the temperature is between 19C and 29C currently. I have 4 girls, 2 leghorns, 1 Rhode Island and 1 Australorp. I got Australorp and Rhode Island 2 months ago and they have not layed. My 2 Leghorns arrived 3 weeks ago and they got into business after 10 days of arrival despite the bullying! So, I know it is not the food I am feeding them. They are on 16% protein layer feed.

 

[Elifberkel]

Welcome to BYC!

She may have been laying before you got her,
but the stress of moving coupled with the short days is not conducive to laying.
She'll start back up after the solstice.....how long after remains to be seen.

What other birds do you have?

Thanks a lot! I got 2 leghorns which are in business despite their late arrival and the bullying from my Australorp and Rhode Island Red. So, I do not know what to do other than wait! They are so entertaining and friendly I have to say I really cannot complain! I am enjoying their company in our backyard. I will keep you posted

 

[Elifberkel]

@Elifberkel Please let us know when you get the first egg.
How has your bird adjusted to her new flock?
Aorps are very good layers. An 11 month old doesn't need warm weather to lay. Good nutrition, housing and getting along with the others, I'd expect laying by the end of January or early February.

Thanks a lot!!!