Concerned newbie

[Ccrielly]

We are new to having backyard chickens. We started off with 9 but sadly our flock contracted a virus and 5 chickens have died. Our remaining 4 seem strong and healthy. We have 2 Easter Eggers, 1 Speckled Sussex, and 1 Lavender Orpington. None of our chickens are laying eggs or crowing. They are all 6 months plus old. Should we be concerned because none are laying? We got them all as chicks so we aren’t 100% if they are Roos or hens, although we were told they were hens. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC!
We are glad you joined our flock!

Can you post a few pictures of your birds...we can help you to determine if they are going to lay eggs or not.
Sorry for your loss, do you know what virus they caught?
This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

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Chicken Coops
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[ClucksAndCombs]

Welcome to BYC!

All of us are happy to have you here, we always have enough room on the BYC roost!

As Texas Kiki said above, we'd need some pictures of your little ones. My experience with EEs is that they generally lay later than the others, around 24-26 weeks. So I'd say that they'll lay any day now.

Enjoy your time on this amazing site!

 

[alexa009]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens! We are glad you joined the flock! BYC is a helpful site providing all of the information you need to know about poultry. There is always space for more members on the BYC roost! Pictures would be of great help and sexing would be accurate at such a late age. Hope you enjoy it here as much as we all do!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Sorry to hear you lost so many of your chickens. As others have suggested, you can post pictures of your birds on the Breed & Gender forum for help with identifying their gender.

 

[drumstick diva]

So glad you joined us at Backyard Chickens

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Given the shortened day light period as they are maturing your pullets may not lay until spring. Pictures will help with gender determination.

 

[feathermaid]

I'm so sorry to hear about your losses, but glad to know the rest of your flock is doing better.

Well, I've done some extensive research on your very same issue! My newest pullets just turned 30 weeks old and only 1 just started laying this week! I've been told many times... "they start laying when they feel like it." So join the frustration boat with me! My first batch of chicks a couple years ago (basically the same breeds) started laying at 18 weeks, so go figure. Not sure if there's really any rhyme or reason to it.

Best wishes in your new chicken adventure!

 

[mitziworm]

Hi and welcome,
Sorry to hear about your losing chickens.
I'm sure someone here will be able to help you, this is a wonderful community.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I'd suggest posting your pics on this forum - What Breed Or Gender is This?