Expert help!

[aart]

I’d always read 2 sq. Feet per chicken, which would mean ours should hold 4 fine (assuming the rule of thumb here is correct).

Well, that's factory farm type spacing, most here want better conditions and have learned that crowding has many drawbacks and problems.

Is it possible they’re still adjusting to their new home after 2-3 weeks?

Could very well be.
You got 1 year old birds from a hatchery?

 

[Finnie]

They all laid once and now have not laid for 3 weeks.

Is it possible they’re still adjusting to their new home after 2-3 weeks?

Yes, that’s what I was going to say, before I saw that you already said it.

But as far as your previous chickens that did the same thing, did those other ones never lay again? THAT would be very strange, if you ask me. I mean, even if you got lied to and were sold very old hens instead of one-year-olds, you would expect them to lay at least a few eggs now and then. How long did you own those other hens that never laid?

I just recently bought two Auracana hens from a breeder. They each laid one egg when they got here and then quit. After a couple of weeks, one of them began laying again. Now just yesterday I finally have gotten an egg from the second hen, and it has been five and a half weeks! So you may just have to wait longer than you expected.

 

[IDchicken]

Well, that's factory farm type spacing, most here want better conditions and have learned that crowding has many drawbacks and problems.

Could very well be.
You got 1 year old birds from a hatchery?

We definitely want them to enjoy their habitat! In fact, we’d prefer they have the chance to roam the yard, but precious flock of four demolished the yard. The free range isn’t an option now that we have new grass and holes filled

Yes. They’re 1 year old birds from a hatchery.

 

[IDchicken]

Yes, that’s what I was going to say, before I saw that you already said it.

But as far as your previous chickens that did the same thing, did those other ones never lay again? THAT would be very strange, if you ask me. I mean, even if you got lied to and were sold very old hens instead of one-year-olds, you would expect them to lay at least a few eggs now and then. How long did you own those other hens that never laid?

We raised those girls from chicks ourselves. They would lay, but very sporadically. We would get 2-3/ week for a period of time and then no for weeks on end (they were a Black Sex Link, 2 Wyandotte’s, and an Auracana) .

We’ve just never seen the consistency many of our fellow chicken loves have seen.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

We raised those girls from chicks ourselves. They would lay, but very sporadically. We would get 2-3/ week for a period of time and then no for weeks on end (they were a Black Sex Link, 2 Wyandotte’s, and an Auracana) .

We’ve just never seen the consistency many of our fellow chicken loves have seen.

In that case, I'd look much more closely at nutrition.

 

[IDchicken]

In that case, I'd look much more closely at nutrition.

Anything in particular? Could lack of rocks (grit), etc. be a contributing issue to poor nutrition?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Anything in particular? Could lack of rocks (grit), etc. be a contributing issue to poor nutrition?

That is always a possibility but if they have appropriate sized grit for the age/size of the bird, I wouldn't worry about that. It is mostly about the primary feed.
If you start with chicks of a productive breed, feed them a 20% starter (and nothing else) till they are 10 weeks old, go to an 18% grower (and nothing else) and switch to a 16/17% layer (and nothing else) by 20 weeks and if those feeds are fresh, I guarantee you'll get lots of eggs by week 23. Approaching that age after summer solstice, it may take longer.
Toying with what they eat cana diminish the nutrition they need to be productive.

 

[aart]

That is always a possibility but if they have appropriate sized grit for the age/size of the bird, I wouldn't worry about that. It is mostly about the primary feed.
If you start with chicks of a productive breed, feed them a 20% starter (and nothing else) till they are 10 weeks old, go to an 18% layer (and nothing else) and switch to a 16/17% layer (and nothing else) by 20 weeks and if those feeds are fresh, I guarantee you'll get lots of eggs by week 23. Approaching that age after summer solstice, it may take longer.
Toying with what they eat cana diminish the nutrition they need to be productive.

Layer feed at 10 weeks?

 

[IDchicken]

Thank you! You all have been tremendously helpful! We will continue working on things! I truly appreciate the help!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Layer feed at 10 weeks?

Reread.
I said layer by 20 weeks.