Faulty Hens......

[mertzy1963]

Is it possible they are laying eggs where you can't find them? Do they free-range?

we live in town so they don't free range, totally enclosed run and coop with plenty of room......

 

[mertzy1963]

I'm not even going to say this late in the season they might wait until spring. .not saying they will but it is possible.

UGH!!!!

 

[Scratchychiken]

I think some hens may just lay later than others. There is an unlikely explanation. They might not be laying yet because naturally jungle fowl only lay about 12 eggs a year.
I know they aren't jungle fowl but maybe there is something in them that starts the mass producing and it hasn't been activated yet? I'm just philosophizing here, but give them time and they should start to lay.

You could buy some older hens that are already laying and seeing if that encourages the unproductive girls to give it a try.

Hope they start to lay soon.

 

[Chickassan]

In all seriousness, if they're squatting and their combs and wattles are a nice cherry red then the factory should be opening very soon. The squatting starts usually a good month before laying. Tell your husband to put his knife and fork away.

 

[sourland]

Patience. Wyandottes and Orpingtons, in my experience, tend to mature later than the higher production birds.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed, patience. Some folks keep their flocks on a multi-flock all the time and NEVER use layer feed. Other folks switch back and forth according to time of year and flock age/gender/condition. (chicks in flock/males in flock/birds molting) And others (that would be me) keep the flock on layer, even if there are males, or molting birds year round, except when there are youngsters. I am content to let my birds be on layer any time after the pullets get their cluck. I urge OP to do her homework, and choose a feeding regimen that makes sense. Laying is so imminent that you could either keep them on MF or unmedicated starter with OS served separately, or put them on layer.

 

[Maeschak]

we live in town so they don't free range, totally enclosed run and coop with plenty of room......

Well then they must not be laying yet! Unfortunately, I have had a few birds not lay until 7/8/9 months. And frankly, it sucks. Just hang in there! Also, look around for wet spots. First pullet eggs can be very thin shelled and easily broken by curious new egg layers (and then promptly eaten!)