Chickens not laying

[lolobaba1212]

Seven adult chickens were given to me 2 months ago from a coop which contained about 50. They still have not laid a single egg. Yet, in the coop where they used to live, laying is happening. Is this behavior linked to their change of environment ?

 

[redsoxs]

It could be. Moving is stressful but they should have settled in to their new surroundings by now. Shortened daylight hours is the most likely culprit (although I do not know where you are located). Mine are just starting an increase in laying as the days are slowly getting longer. I'm also wondering about the age of the birds you have. After age 2 productivity will really drop off - particularly in winter. Do you have an idea of their age? Hoping you didn't receive some birds close to being at the end of their laying age.

 

[lolobaba1212]

I am in Santa Barbara, but so is the other coop they come from. I'd say for sure they are over 2 years old.

 

[Happy Chooks]

What are you feeding them? Diet can make a big difference also. Birds that are coming back from molting need extra protein.

 

[lolobaba1212]

I am using the Scratch and Peck Feeds seeds. It is sold for laying chickens. What do you use?

 

[Mak24456]

Can you provide a link to it off their website?
Something I've heard about scratch and peck food is it's very powdery, so it works best for fermenting. Do they leave behind a lot of powder when they finish their food?

 

[aart]

I am using the Scratch and Peck Feeds seeds. It is sold for laying chickens. What do you use?

Provide link to exact type of feed, and/or read fine print on nutritive percentages on label sewn into bottom of bag.

Moving can cause stress and may trigger molt......or maybe they are still coming back from molt?
Were they laying like the day before you brought them home..... or had just been previously laying???

 

[Happy Chooks]

I am using the Scratch and Peck Feeds seeds. It is sold for laying chickens. What do you use?

It looks like their Grower is 17% protein and Layer is 16%. Pretty decent protein levels.

I feed Purina Flockraiser, which is 20% protein. It can be fed to birds of all ages, which is why I use it. I frequently have chicks through adults in my flocks. In winter, if I feel my birds need extra protein from molting, I will mix in Gamebird Starter (30% protein).

My birds have not resumed laying from their molt yet, so it can be normal for them to not be laying right now.