Did I get tricked?

[Toril]

Chicken Lytle, I'm trying to find a place that sells Purina's Layena - I had great results with that before. I switched because they didn't have an organic version. Now nobody around here sells the Layena anymore... I need to sit down and compare the ingredients in the Layena with the Blue Seal Organic layer pellets I'm feeding them now. I also got some organic feed from an exclusive organic producer in this state, but they didn't seem all that excited about it and left too much to the sparrows.

 

[justtoni44]

I have 30 hens of various ages,a few are pullets not laying yet.
I am getting about 8 eggs a day and just not worrying about it.
I know they will come around when laying is a priorty to them again..I think you are probably O.K.
Try not to fault them.
The new ones may be settleing in,not sure how long you have had them.
It is normal for them to stop laying for a period of time after a move.it's stressful.
GOOD LUCK......I am certain they will surprise you come spring

 

[CMV]

Perhaps you have an egg eater in the group?

 

[Toril]

CMV, I did see traces of eaten eggs after they first moved in (Oct 10). Frequent checking for eggs for a while and added crushed oyster shells/egg shells in their food seemed to take care of that problem, not seen any eggs with dried yolk on the outside in a long time now... I also keep them busy with leftover veggies and fruit outside, have enough from the store to give them something to play with on a regular basis.

 

[black star homesteader]

You may have gotten some older birds. Technically; they should have done their molt this fall; they could have been done with it by October, or if they were under constant light and didn't go through a molt - they could still need one. If they were under lights since April 2009 they could be burned out. As fas as the commment that chickens should be left to natural cycles and not be put under lights - that would be great for those for whom chickens are pets - however, many of us keep chickens for eggs. We particularly keep them in order to have the least expensive humanely raised eggs and meat - and even feeding organic feed - (and therefore paying about $3.40/dozen for eggs) - I"m still saving from the local cost of $5.00/dozen for organic eggs produced in town. I couldn't afford to keep chickens who were not laying - and understand your frustration.

I would put a white 60 W light with a timer on in the morning and evening; so they get at least 15-16 hrs of daylight. If you have an electric source; try a water heater under the water if no one can bring them water first thing in the morning (when the light comes on). I only have an extension cord running out to the coop for the light; so I try to make sure I get up at 6:30 in the morning (light comes on at 5:30) when it's < 25 - to give them fresh water. I only give them the red heat light at night when the temperature is approaching less than 10 degrees F. I've heard of people in Minnesota who don't heat their coops - I think chickens can handle cold pretty darned well. Especially if they have a nice wide roosts to cover their feet with, if you vaseline their wattles/combs, or if they don't have enormous combs, and if they coop is clean and draft free.

Depending how long you've had them, since October?, they could have needed an adjustment period. Are the facilities set up like they were used to? Are they stressed at all - enough feed? Did you perhaps buy egg-eaters? Any evidence of that? If so - cull the whole flock and try to get some chicks this month. THey'll be laying in the spring for you. If you don't like to cull - find a neighbor or other who could use the meat. I got some ~17 weekers (black stars, EE) in early November and they started laying at 20-21 weeks - even one of the Ameracuanas has started at 21 weeks. How about fading of the scales (query; are RIR yellow skined or white skinned) - that can indicate age.

Maybe someone else can answer this question -- how can you tell who's laying in a flock.....I have eight birds; so when they are in full production I could probably guess if everyone's laying adequately based on numbers of eggs/day. The vent check on the 6/8 birds that will let me handle them shows all the black stars have wide horizontal vents; the one Ameracuana that allows me to pick her up - she's a little more tight and round; but that very well may be due to her small size - or maybe she's not the one laying....Any ideas?

 

[woodmort]

First of all your hens are into their second laying year so they will slow down although RIR's should still give you 2/3 eggs a week. Second, it sounds like they may be in the process of establishing some sort of pecking order or making changes in the existing one, this will slow them down too. Once they get that sorted out they should lay better. BTW, the light isn't going to hurt them for the amount of time you have it on. Aside from the water freezing, heat shouldn't be necessary at 25* nor should it bother the birds in re to laying.

 

[Toril]

Thanks, lots of good ideas to consider! I just found out that I can get Layena feeder pellets (which I had great success with before) at a local Tractor Supply store that just opened, so I'm going to try that and see if it changes anything. Tricky time of year to test, but I had really great results with it before. I don't like that it's not organic, but if it changes the yield, I can look at the ingredients and see if I can replicate it in an organic version. If it doesn't change anything, I can move on to the next item to check.

I'll get a water heater base, it clearly needs to be independent from the light. They will be fine without other heat, and that way I can use the light fixture for the daylight bulb and timer I had set up.

At one point in my life, I would have been very surprised if anyone had told me that I'd be really excited about going to a new Tractor Supply store to look at their selection!

 

[wbruder17]

What are individual tie-cords for birds?

 

[abhaya]

let nature take its course. I was all worried about when my girls were gonna start laying. When I gave up and decided they were just gonna wait till spring 3 started to lay. They are just gonna do it on thier time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

isn't tie cords what they use for fighting roosters?