Chickens not laying eggs?

[BarnyardChaos]

I only have 2 chickens. I had 3 and something got one. I plan to get more once new hen house is set up. I’m in Arkasas. I’d really like to know about layer pellets. Lady I got them from suggested these. I will lay off scratch. Thank you!

The key nutrition numbers to watch are calcium and protein.

Layer feed will have about 4-5% calcium, to help laying hens make strong eggshells without depleting their bodies of calcium. Chickens who are not laying - including elderly birds, roosters, pullets, cockerels, and chicks - don't metabolize the excess calcium very well. In fact, it can cause damage to livers and kidneys.

There is feed designed for the whole flock, some names are All-Flock or Flockraiser etc, which contains about 1-1.5% calcium. It's fine for all ages and sexes. You should put out a dish of crushed oyster shell on the side. Laying hens will take the extra calcium they need from this, and other members of the flock will leave it alone. The birds know what they need.

Layer feed and All-Flock types will have about 18-20% protein. Some feeds have more or less, depending on the species and age of other birds or chickens. Folks who grow certain broiler-type and fast-growing meat breeds will opt for 28-30% protein (commonly found in some game-bird feeds).

Chick starter feed can be fed to all ages, too - as long as you supplement the calcium with oyster shell on the side. It's very similar to All-Flock.

(My birds are currently getting a gamebird grower/finisher feed with 22% protein and 1.3% calcium, with oyster shell on the side. I opted for a higher protein to help the birds get through molt, grow new feathers, and provide extra energy for the cold winter months. Plus it will help with egg production, should they choose to lay. Also, about half my flock are still growing and I figure the extra protein would be beneficial. Once they all reach maturity and weather starts to warm up, I'll switch them back to All-Flock. Finally, I have a tub of medicated chick starter feed that's used solely for my chicks up to about 6-8 weeks of age. I hatch my own and they are not vaccinated, plus there is the ever-present risk of coccidiosis - so the medicated feed is warranted.)

Now then... about scratch grains. They are beneficial for the birds and gives them an extra boost of energy. However, due to the low protein content (about 7%) and lack of other vitamins and added minerals, it should not consist of more than about 10% of their diet. Think of it as dessert for your flock, or candy - but not the basis of their diet.

I hope this helps!

 

[BarnyardChaos]

In my experience, pellets or crumbles don't make much of a difference in how much they waste or preferences. They'll eat it all. I buy whichever's available - unless I'm feeding chicks too, then it's crumbles only.

 

[Sonflowerjoela]

Something? Are you talking about a predator or illness? I know that sometimes stress on my flock can be induced by a neighborhood dog sniffing around the chicken run. Stressed out chickens can stop laying for a while, as I can see in reduction of eggs after such an incident. Might not be your problem, but a prowling predator is not going to help.

I don’t know what got her. She was gone and found a couple bunches of feathers. We set a live trap that night. There was something in trap but it tore the trap up and got away.

 

[gtaus]

I don’t know what got her. She was gone and found a couple bunches of feathers. We set a live trap that night. There was something in trap but it tore the trap up and got away.

Yeah, sounds like a predator problem. Like you, I have my chicken run built using dog kennel panels and 2X4 inch galvanized fencing. Good enough to keep neighborhood dogs and cats out, but not will not stop a mink or weasel. I lock my chickens up at night in a Fort Knox coop, which has kept them safe for 3+ years with no predator attacks.

I would be willing to bet that any predator that successfully got one of your chickens might be back for more later. Personally, I'd invest in a better trap and try again. Regardless of the egg laying situation, it sounds like your real concern should be on protecting the flock at this point.

Well, best of luck. Keep us updated. Hope you trap that varmint before it can do more damage.

 

[gtaus]

The key nutrition numbers to watch are calcium and protein.

Layer feed will have about 4-5% calcium, to help laying hens make strong eggshells without depleting their bodies of calcium. Chickens who are not laying - including elderly birds, roosters, pullets, cockerels, and chicks - don't metabolize the excess calcium very well. In fact, it can cause damage to livers and kidneys.

There is feed designed for the whole flock, some names are All-Flock or Flockraiser etc, which contains about 1-1.5% calcium. It's fine for all ages and sexes. You should put out a dish of crushed oyster shell on the side. Laying hens will take the extra calcium they need from this, and other members of the flock will leave it alone. The birds know what they need.

Layer feed and All-Flock types will have about 18-20% protein. Some feeds have more or less, depending on the species and age of other birds or chickens. Folks who grow certain broiler-type and fast-growing meat breeds will opt for 28-30% protein (commonly found in some game-bird feeds).

Chick starter feed can be fed to all ages, too - as long as you supplement the calcium with oyster shell on the side. It's very similar to All-Flock.

(My birds are currently getting a gamebird grower/finisher feed with 22% protein and 1.3% calcium, with oyster shell on the side. I opted for a higher protein to help the birds get through molt, grow new feathers, and provide extra energy for the cold winter months. Plus it will help with egg production, should they choose to lay. Also, about half my flock are still growing and I figure the extra protein would be beneficial. Once they all reach maturity and weather starts to warm up, I'll switch them back to All-Flock. Finally, I have a tub of medicated chick starter feed that's used solely for my chicks up to about 6-8 weeks of age. I hatch my own and they are not vaccinated, plus there is the ever-present risk of coccidiosis - so the medicated feed is warranted.)

Now then... about scratch grains. They are beneficial for the birds and gives them an extra boost of energy. However, due to the low protein content (about 7%) and lack of other vitamins and added minerals, it should not consist of more than about 10% of their diet. Think of it as dessert for your flock, or candy - but not the basis of their diet.

I hope this helps!

Nice write up. Concurs with what I have read. Hope it helps OP.

 

[Sonflowerjoela]

The key nutrition numbers to watch are calcium and protein.

Layer feed will have about 4-5% calcium, to help laying hens make strong eggshells without depleting their bodies of calcium. Chickens who are not laying - including elderly birds, roosters, pullets, cockerels, and chicks - don't metabolize the excess calcium very well. In fact, it can cause damage to livers and kidneys.

There is feed designed for the whole flock, some names are All-Flock or Flockraiser etc, which contains about 1-1.5% calcium. It's fine for all ages and sexes. You should put out a dish of crushed oyster shell on the side. Laying hens will take the extra calcium they need from this, and other members of the flock will leave it alone. The birds know what they need.

Layer feed and All-Flock types will have about 18-20% protein. Some feeds have more or less, depending on the species and age of other birds or chickens. Folks who grow certain broiler-type and fast-growing meat breeds will opt for 28-30% protein (commonly found in some game-bird feeds).

Chick starter feed can be fed to all ages, too - as long as you supplement the calcium with oyster shell on the side. It's very similar to All-Flock.

(My birds are currently getting a gamebird grower/finisher feed with 22% protein and 1.3% calcium, with oyster shell on the side. I opted for a higher protein to help the birds get through molt, grow new feathers, and provide extra energy for the cold winter months. Plus it will help with egg production, should they choose to lay. Also, about half my flock are still growing and I figure the extra protein would be beneficial. Once they all reach maturity and weather starts to warm up, I'll switch them back to All-Flock. Finally, I have a tub of medicated chick starter feed that's used solely for my chicks up to about 6-8 weeks of age. I hatch my own and they are not vaccinated, plus there is the ever-present risk of coccidiosis - so the medicated feed is warranted.)

Now then... about scratch grains. They are beneficial for the birds and gives them an extra boost of energy. However, due to the low protein content (about 7%) and lack of other vitamins and added minerals, it should not consist of more than about 10% of their diet. Think of it as dessert for your flock, or candy - but not the basis of their diet.

I hope this helps!

Yes it does. Thank you for such detailed information. I wonder if I can find the game bird feed. I will definitely back off the scratch.

 

[Sonflowerjoela]

Yeah, sounds like a predator problem. Like you, I have my chicken run built using dog kennel panels and 2X4 inch galvanized fencing. Good enough to keep neighborhood dogs and cats out, but not will not stop a mink or weasel. I lock my chickens up at night in a Fort Knox coop, which has kept them safe for 3+ years with no predator attacks.

I would be willing to bet that any predator that successfully got one of your chickens might be back for more later. Personally, I'd invest in a better trap and try again. Regardless of the egg laying situation, it sounds like your real concern should be on protecting the flock at this point.

Well, best of luck. Keep us updated. Hope you trap that varmint before it can do more damage.

This happened months ago. I have them protected. I did it the day she was gone!

 

[gtaus]

This happened months ago. I have them protected. I did it the day she was gone!

That's good to know. I thought it just happened. Good to hear that you have not suffered another attack since then.

 

[BarnyardChaos]

Yes it does. Thank you for such detailed information. I wonder if I can find the game bird feed. I will definitely back off the scratch.

If your local farm and ranch store doesn't carry the game bird feed, you might check at a livestock feed supplier in your area. They'll likely only have it in 50-lb bags, but it's much cheaper than buying at a retail storefront.

 

[nuthatched]

okay. What age is maturity? I have to say I haven’t raised chickens from chicks before.

It depends on the bird, but usually 17-22 weeks.