Chickens not laying eggs yet, what to feed them

[SweetPeaUt]

We have 7 chickens, all about 27 weeks old and only two are laying. We have 2 asian blues, 2 rhode island reds, 2 easter eggers and 1 rainbow dixie. I know i have to be patient, which is killing me, seems like they'll never lay, but my question is what should I be feeding them. Or does it really matter? We were feeding them layer feed, since around 22wks, but last time I was at the store the clerk said I should feed them developer mash until they are all laying. He made it sound like our chickens weren't laying because we were feeding them the wrong food? So now I'm confused and am not sure what the right food to be feeding them so they start laying. Any thoughts?

 

[rjohns39]

There are a lot of differing thought about layer, calcium and protein levels. My adults have started to molt and my teens aren't ready to lay yet, so I've moved everyone to a grower ration at about 19% protein and I make sure they have plenty of grit and oyster shell free choice. In the end, they'll start laying when they are ready. Feed them a good quality feed and limit treats to no more than 10% of their diet. Moving them to a layer blend too early is not catastrophic—but it could slow things down. There's a lot of material out here to read about feed. Dig in and then trust your gut.

 

[SeaPolka]

Some pullets can take a little longer than average to start laying, like how some girls start their period early and some late. Lots of people just feed an 'all flock' or 'mixed flock' and Oyster shell free choice, I've seen some who just feed growers for their hens' lives with Oyster shell free choice. They're probably just late bloomers

 

[CooperChicken]

Its not you, I bought 3 chickens that were all the same age and breed, and they each started laying weeks apart. They were also fed layer feed.
I don't think you need to worry

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC @SweetPeaUt !
It is frustrating, eh?

I also, like rjohns39, feed a higher protein, low calcium to my mixed age and gender flock, providing calcium via oyster and egg shells offed in a separate container.
I mostly do this so I can feed some treats without diluting the protein in feed,
and it's just simpler when I have chicks in the flock.

But chances are your feed is not the problem, it's more the time of year(if you're in the northern hemisphere)...pullets coming into lay as the days are shortening can slow their onset of lay. They need 12-14 hours of light a day to stimulate the hormones.

Do you free range your birds?
Are they showing bright red combs?
Any chance they are laying out in range area?

 

[SweetPeaUt]

Welcome to BYC @SweetPeaUt !
It is frustrating, eh?

I also, like rjohns39, feed a higher protein, low calcium to my mixed age and gender flock, providing calcium via oyster and egg shells offed in a separate container.
I mostly do this so I can feed some treats without diluting the protein in feed,
and it's just simpler when I have chicks in the flock.

But chances are your feed is not the problem, it's more the time of year(if you're in the northern hemisphere)...pullets coming into lay as the days are shortening can slow their onset of lay. They need 12-14 hours of light a day to stimulate the hormones.

Do you free range your birds?
Are they showing bright red combs?
Any chance they are laying out in range area?

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I will probably switch my feed for now and see if that helps at all. Several of the birds have very nice red combs and one has even been "nesting" for a few months but nothing yet. They do free range but we kept them in the coop/run to see if they were hiding them maybe but nothing. Our days are getting shorter now so maybe I will get a light for the coop too.

 

[aart]

I will probably switch my feed for now and see if that helps at all.

Changing the feed is not going to make them magically lay....just to avoid disappointment.

I've got on messing in the nests for a couple weeks too....and her points are spread, and I've got lighting, and the cockerel is mounting her.... but no egg yet.

Confinement can take more than a few days too.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

Butt checks are always a good option too.
Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
(Spacing is relative with chickens size and humans finger size.)

 

[SweetPeaUt]

Changing the feed is not going to make them magically lay....just to avoid disappointment.

I've got on messing in the nests for a couple weeks too....and her points are spread, and I've got lighting, and the cockerel is mounting her.... but no egg yet.

Confinement can take more than a few days too.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

Butt checks are always a good option too.
Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
(Spacing is relative with chickens size and humans finger size.)

Thank you for the additional info. And picture, very helpful. I checked my girls and 5 of the seven have points that are spread. Two of which I know are actually laying. We go on egg hunts often but have never found any secret stashes. So, i think we will try keeping them confined again but for longer this time (We only did two days last time). Thanks for all the advice! It's super helpful for us newbies.