Hello guys! I am sure this is a very old question on here, but I am at my wits end, and decided to post and ask what the heck is wrong with my chickens. So. I have 18 chickens that are 25 weeks old today. I am getting 7 eggs a day right now where I should be getting about 1 1/2 dozen . Here are my breeds: 1 White Leghorn. (She is laying) 4 Welsummers 3 Buff Orpingtons 5 Silver Laced Wyandottes 1 Black Australorp 4 Speckled Sussex 1 Light Brahma (She is laying) So those are the breeds, is it just customary for alot of these to start super late? ~They are being fed Non GMO, Soy free, laying mash. ~13 hours of daylight right now. ~They are contained in a Premier 1 poultry net, so they have a free range environment, but in a safer way, and I move the fence when the grass gets worn out. ~7 roosters (Yes I know that is WAYYY too much, I am trying to get rid of some) Thanks for your input!
Well, on average 20 weeks of age is the earliest a pullet will begin laying. That's the higher production breeds, so I wouldn't consider 25 weeks to be super late starters. That being said, having to endure 7 randy cockerels could be part of the problem. Build them a bachelor pad, or butcher them. Get them out of there and you will have much happier pullets.
How much protein is in that feed, and what have they been fed all their lives? How much protein? Orpingtons are traditionally slower to mature. I was totally unimpressed with my hatchery Speckled Sussex. Late, infrequent layers of smallish eggs. Wyandottes can be hit or miss. they're more production bred than the Orps and the Brahma, but not so much as the Aussies and Welsummers. Do you have pics? Are their combs nice and bright red, or are they still small and immature looking? I agree to pull the cockerels out. You may be amazed how much that will settle things down and boost production.
I'll add these questions: Are you sure they are not laying out in range area? How big is coop, in feet by feet? How many nests...are you using fake eggs as bait?? I wouldn't worry yet, 6 months is average for several of those breeds.
Ok, I am working to get rid of the roosters. I said I have seven, but only 6 are full grown, the other is 13 weeks and he is not doing anything yet. I am trying to get rid of 2 of the 6 full grown roosters. They are being fed 16% protein feed right now, before that, they were fed non GMO chick starter feed up until 15 weeks old and since they have been fed the 16% protein feed. All my Sussex hens still have small, immature combs, all my Wyandottes have mature combs. Most of the Buff's have mature combs, the Australorp does, and one of the Welsummers. I have also been looking at their vents to see which one look moist and large. I am SURE that they are not laying in the range area. I have checked. The coop is 8'x8'. 7 nesting boxes. No fake eggs. Thank you, every one for the answers, I think these are the answers to all of your questions!
