Freezer Camp For The Whole Flock!!!!!!!!!

[Nifty-Chicken]

We've purchased chicks "late" in the season before and had them go right through Winter without laying. Totally frustrating. Now we try to get them going in early Spring so we can at least get some eggs from them before they slow down for Winter (or in our current case stop completely).

 

[Shannon's Chix]

Sorry but not all people think of chickens as "walking food machines"...

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Hard to tell the tone here but CG does not seem too interested in anyone's theories...but I have one...I think they aren't laying ON PURPOSE, just to SPITE HIM!

 

[Overeasyplz]

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That's what I was thinking, it's his livestock after all. He's the one feeding them. His birds are probably spreading eggs all over the neighborhood if they are free range tho, but that many birds someone would slip up and lay next to the roost..lol

 

[emys]

If they free ranged all summer, isn't it possible that they have a simple case of round worms that are sapping just enough energy to not allow laying? Try worming them - or check out the gut of the first one you butcher. That will tell you. (could be mites on them too - maybe all they need is a dusting.)

The only other thought I have for you is that lots of animals allow themselves to get a bit dehydrated in the cold weather. It takes a lot of water to create an egg. Try giving them very warm water each morning.

There's my two cents.

 

[dipence71]

give them more light as they will stop laying with out enough light. Mine did and I put a light on a timer in the coop and slowly started getting more & more. Now get an average of 10 out of 12 hens a day. give or take the cold temps.

 

[Hens_And_Chicks]

My chickens, all hatched in Feb & April had just started to lay by September - went to the fair and they all came home sick with a respiratory infection and quit laying - I was so disappointed. I ended up changing their feed program completely - I put them on Purena Layena and started making them a daily hot mash of the Layena, scratch grains, whole rolled oats, cat food and a can of corn just for fun. Man - did they ever come into lay. I had a couple late maturing breeds like Black Jersey Giants and Buckeyes but now they are all laying regular.

I'd hate to see them go to the freezer without at least trying the extra protein and a hot mash like above. My chickens love it and about knock me down each morning to get to the mash. And I'm with those who give the birds extra lights - my lights are on til at least 9 or 10 every night.

I hope you start getting 4 eggs just so they all get another chance

 

[Hens_And_Chicks]

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I've heard of that too - giving them very warm water - that's what I do on cold/frozen mornings - I take a gallon of hot water to the pen - they love that - it's like their hot toddy! I've been giving them electrolyte vitamins too - I figure they depend on me completely - it's the least I can do.

 

[waterpossum]

i bought some chicks this past spring and i was expecting them to start laying around nov/dec. well with the light change and colder than normal weather nothing came about. i get 1 egg every2 or 3 days and i/m ok w/ that. i surely don/t wanna start all over this coming spring and end up w/ the same problem next winter! (of course i am gonna buy more this spring...who can resist?!!)but come feb/march they/ll be spittin eggs all over the place i/m thinking. let them get through the winter and don/t buy chicks that late in the spring. either get them earlier, or later so that they start in early fall or the spring of the next year

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

George have you done the bone test to see how close they are to laying, remember 1 finger not close, 2 fingers very close, 3 fingers laying and someone is hiding,eating eggs, if you don't know how to do this test place 3 fingers side by side between the bone on either side of the vent, you do not place your fingers in the vent, how many fingers that fit between the bones will give you an idea whats going on, also look at the vent a little puckered up not laying, the wider, softer the vent the better the layer.

 

[deerman]

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Ok, here a sure way, keep them coop up for a few weeks, feed ONLY a good layer, give them 16 hours of light per day.. Unless you have something getting the eggs,(could even be a egg eating chicken) You will have eggs by the end of the year!!!!!!!!!!!