Got 5 hens (red sexlink) a week ago and none have laid. When do you give up expecting eggs?

[rosemarythyme]

Could they be coming out of molt, do you think? Better pics might help. Mine looked kind of rough after molt for a bit and weren't laying well. I put them on a higher protein feather fixer formula for a while. They got to looking just beautiful and egg production picked up as well. Do you guys think this might help?

Kind of late for molting but possible. Or just not kept in the greatest of conditions (if it's a feed store lot, my guess is all the available birds were just tossed in a pen together and some birds were probably beating up on others).

I don't do a protein boost for molting, but it probably wouldn't hurt here to try and improve their condition. Not entirely familiar with feather fixer but a grower feed could work too as it generally has higher protein. A small bag should do.

 

[Danarellie]

Kind of late for molting but possible. Or just not kept in the greatest of conditions (if it's a feed store lot, my guess is all the available birds were just tossed in a pen together and some birds were probably beating up on others).

I don't do a protein boost for molting, but it probably wouldn't hurt here to try and improve their condition. Not entirely familiar with feather fixer but a grower feed could work too as it generally has higher protein. A small bag should do.

Yes I definitely think this assessment of their living conditions is accurate. We may try adding more protein. Thank you! When I took a closer look today (checking for mites and lice) I did notice that feathers seemed to be beginning to regrow so that was a good sign I guess! Secondary question: Do you think we should deworm using a more serious dewormer than Diotomaceous Earth or no if we're not seeing clear indications of worms?

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you think they have worms, ideally you should have a vet do a fecal float to check what types of worms are present so you're treating it appropriately. DE to my knowledge does not do anything to worms.

I've never wormed my chickens and haven't seen reason to.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Those birds look stressed. Give them good care and time to adjust. They will lay eventually.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

If you think they have worms, ideally you should have a vet do a fecal float to check what types of worms are present so you're treating it appropriately. DE to my knowledge does not do anything to worms.

I've never wormed my chickens and haven't seen reason to.

I have never wormed my chickens either.

 

[aart]

If you think they have worms, ideally you should have a vet do a fecal float to check what types of worms are present so you're treating it appropriately. DE to my knowledge does not do anything to worms.

Ditto Dat!
DE won't kill any parasite infestation in or on a chicken.


They definitely are not in laying condition, the pale combs indicate that.
I'd guess they are older than 9 months too, seeing their feet and legs might help with age.

Yes I definitely think this assessment of their living conditions is accurate. We may try adding more protein.

What all and exactly how are you feeding them?

Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @Danarellie
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Danarellie]

Ditto Dat!
DE won't kill any parasite infestation in or on a chicken.


They definitely are not in laying condition, the pale combs indicate that.
I'd guess they are older than 9 months too, seeing their feet and legs might help with age.
What all and exactly how are you feeding them?

Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @Danarellie
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2093857

Thanks! I've added that now. I'm in Tulsa. It's been pretty cool minus a few days - 40s-60s - and not terribly sunny. I remember reading darker weather can be an egg laying hindrance. Do you think that's likely related?

 

[aart]

Do you think that's likely related?

Nope.
Being moved is the biggest, their age is the next.
...and....

What all and exactly how are you feeding them?

 

[Danarellie]

Ditto Dat!
DE won't kill any parasite infestation in or on a chicken.


They definitely are not in laying condition, the pale combs indicate that.
I'd guess they are older than 9 months too, seeing their feet and legs might help with age.
What all and exactly how are you feeding them?

Coming back to reply here finally! So exactly 4 wks from the day we brought these ladies home we got one egg and we have had an egg each day totalling 3 at this point. The first egg was normal size the other two have been the tiny "fairy eggs" or whatever. Of the 5, one hen seems completely back to good health - red comb, intact feathers - one looks like she's getting there, and the other 3 still look quite disheveled and still have very pale combs.

FEED: we are using a local formulation of pellets that is 20% protien. (That's high enough, right?) Feed is available at all times. They also run free all day in our backyard scratching in leaf piles etc and snacking on our compost scraps which include crushed egg shells almost every day. I've also given them black soldier fly larvae once a day for the past week. (And they have free access to grit and oyster shell of course.)

What else can I be doing to rehabilitate these hens??

PS My kids have said there are occasions of hens pecking one another. This is normal on a rare basis?? Or no? I have spent a decent amount of time out there and never witnessed this myself. Definitely no issues with bare spots, but I do see some feathers about in the coop and elsewhere.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What else can I be doing to rehabilitate these hens??

PS My kids have said there are occasions of hens pecking one another. This is normal on a rare basis?? Or no? I have spent a decent amount of time out there and never witnessed this myself. Definitely no issues with bare spots, but I do see some feathers about in the coop and elsewhere.

Not much else you can do at this juncture: time and patience are what these hens will need to fully recover.

Some picking is normal and expected. It's only a problem if the picking gets to a point that there's injury or damage, or birds are being bullied to the point where they can't eat.