Can Hens Be Duds?

[redheadchick]

Hey there,

I currently have 5 hens and one guinea. 3 of the hens are about 27 weeks old, the other two are a few weeks younger. All are healthy, happy, well fed and free range. Only one of my 27 week old hens is laying. She is fairly consistent and always lays in the nest box. However, none of the other hens are. I am going to thoroughly search the yard to make sure there isn't a nest hidden somewhere. The other girls will sit around and watch the laying hen, so they should know where to lay. One of the younger hens also sleeps in the nest box so she definitely knows where it is. Is it possible that the hens won't lay until the spring (or at all)? Can hens skip a whole season if their age lines up with decreased light/molting? Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Mattemma]

My RSL hen stopped laying after a year. Try putting a light in the coop.I had a fluorescent bulb in to get my other EE hens laying last winter.Right now fall and molting means no eggs for me.If they don't lay by spring I would dispatch and try again in the spring with new ones.

 

[DianaMallory]

What kind of chickens do you have? Let's see a good pic if you have one. R you feeding them laying feed?

 

[Judy]

Have you noticed a recent change in their combs from pink to red? This is a hormone change. I would guess your breeds will lay before winter, particularly if they are hatchery stock, but it's possible they will wait. Actually I would not be surprised if there is a hidden nest somewhere, if their combs are red. Someone could also be eating the eggs (snake, skunk, etc., etc.) I would also start setting the nest-sleeping girl on the roost at dark, to see if you can retrain her. With luck she will learn in a few days to a week.

I have read of one true Ameraucana owner whose girl did not lay until one year old. Here's hoping yours don't wait that long!

 

[redheadchick]

Thank you all for your suggesstions! Here are the pics...

The Americauna (blonde) and the Barred Rock are around 24 weeks and the Rhode Island Red is 27 weeks. The black hen is our only laying hen. Thanks!!

 

[what did I do]

Thank you all for your suggesstions! Here are the pics...

The Americauna (blonde) and the Barred Rock are around 24 weeks and the Rhode Island Red is 27 weeks.  The black hen is our only laying hen. Thanks!!

The pictures don't work for me

 

[redheadchick]

Hopefully this works, thanks!

 

[StarLover21]

Mine is about 36 weeks and no eggs

...it's okay, some chickens are just late bloomers. Yours should lay soon.

 

[MamaRudey]

The Ameraucana and barred rock look a good couple weeks out on comb development to lay. Your RIR looks ready.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

You have a hidden nest... they are ready to lay, for sure...