black orpingtons not laying

[Nephtis]

My neighbour was getting rid of 8 of his hens, he told me they stopped laying for too long and was changing to a different breed. I took 4 of them, they are 2 year old black orpingtons.

They stopped laying early October, Ive had them since beginning of December. I've had one very small brown egg. I am taking into consideration they have had a move and I have wormed and checked for mites etc. They are all pretty healthy.

How long can I expect to wait for them to start laying? I have only ever kept Warrens and they never stop laying, so I'm rather inexperienced with other breeds.

These are fairly big birds and they eat ... eat and eat HUGE amounts of feed. I am starting to weigh up the cost of feed against the lack of eggs. (I hope that doesn't make me sound heartless)

Advice appreciated

Tracey

 

[Judy]

Warrens are a cross bred for laying. Orps are supposed to be ones that keep laying in the winter, but overall will not lay as many eggs as a Warren. I suspect your Orps will lay a little better as the weather warms and the days lengthen, but not at the rate a Warren would.