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

[Danarellie]

Hi, we are new to backyard chickens (both the site and the reality). We decided to buy 5 sex link laying hens from a small feed store owner. He said they were about 9 months old, although there's no real way to be sure of the truth of that I guess. They are not the healthiest looking birds - maybe dumb to have bought them but here we are. It's been 8 days at this point with no eggs. They seem happy trotting around free-range in the yard (and I have looked around the yard - not just coop/nesting boxes for eggs btw) scratching, eating bugs etc. Drinking fine, eating 16% laying pellets, they have oyster shell and grit... I think I've seen that the change of moving can cause a pause in egg-laying but how long before we need to admit that we were probably sold hens past the point of lay? Is there any way to tell? What would you do regarding worming/checking for health issues if you took in some grown hens? I don't have pictures at the moment but can take some tomorrow if that might help. Thank you for any advice!!

 

[hysop]

Hi, we are new to backyard chickens (both the site and the reality). We decided to buy 5 sex link laying hens from a small feed store owner. He said they were about 9 months old, although there's no real way to be sure of the truth of that I guess. They are not the healthiest looking birds - maybe dumb to have bought them but here we are. It's been 8 days at this point with no eggs. They seem happy trotting around free-range in the yard (and I have looked around the yard - not just coop/nesting boxes for eggs btw) scratching, eating bugs etc. Drinking fine, eating 16% laying pellets, they have oyster shell and grit... I think I've seen that the change of moving can cause a pause in egg-laying but how long before we need to admit that we were probably sold hens past the point of lay? Is there any way to tell? What would you do regarding worming/checking for health issues if you took in some grown hens? I don't have pictures at the moment but can take some tomorrow if that might help. Thank you for any advice!!

It can take a week or two to get comfortable before they lay for you. But pictures may help some of the more experienced chicken owners gauge how old they are.

 

[Roli]

Hi, we are new to backyard chickens (both the site and the reality). We decided to buy 5 sex link laying hens from a small feed store owner. He said they were about 9 months old, although there's no real way to be sure of the truth of that I guess. They are not the healthiest looking birds - maybe dumb to have bought them but here we are. It's been 8 days at this point with no eggs. They seem happy trotting around free-range in the yard (and I have looked around the yard - not just coop/nesting boxes for eggs btw) scratching, eating bugs etc. Drinking fine, eating 16% laying pellets, they have oyster shell and grit... I think I've seen that the change of moving can cause a pause in egg-laying but how long before we need to admit that we were probably sold hens past the point of lay? Is there any way to tell? What would you do regarding worming/checking for health issues if you took in some grown hens? I don't have pictures at the moment but can take some tomorrow if that might help. Thank you for any advice!!

I have a RIR that I transitioned to my flock she’s an 8 month old hen and it took her almost two weeks to lay. Currently have a buff Orpington I transitioned at the same time who still has laid yet either. Hoping the next day or two will be the breaking point for her. I was in the same boat wondering when/if they would lay. 1 out of 2 so far.

 

[Danarellie]

I have a RIR that I transitioned to my flock she’s an 8 month old hen and it took her almost two weeks to lay. Currently have a buff Orpington I transitioned at the same time who still has laid yet either. Hoping the next day or two will be the breaking point for her. I was in the same boat wondering when/if they would lay. 1 out of 2 so far.

Oh this is really encouraging to hear. Thanks so much!!

 

[Danarellie]

Here are some pictures. They seem to have somewhat pale combs. I checked for lice/mites and didn't see anything suspicious. Some if three more balding spots appear to be re-growing feathers maybe bc thet are no longer being pecked by their fellows in their original home. We have DE in their food to try to combat any worms there might be but are considering a more high-power wormer. Any recs onb that would be appreciated. And any other thoughts on health if you're noticing anything in these photos. Poop seems normal except perhaps in one hen who had a bit more runny stuff on her rear feathers. Thanks again!

 

[Danarellie]

Seeing if I can bump by commenting.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They do look a bit tattered and pale. Might need to wait for their physical condition to improve before you start getting eggs.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They do look a bit tattered and pale. Might need to wait for their physical condition to improve before you start getting eggs.

Agreed. Hens need to be in good condition to lay. Also, are you providing both grit and oyster shell in separate dishes that they can freely help themselves to? Grit is necessary for digestion, since chickens have no teeth. And oyster shell is required to provide calcium for the formation of egg shells. Good luck and enjoy your little feathered friends!

Edit: I'm sorry, I see that they do have OS and grit.

 

[Looneytoonsfan]

Hi, we are new to backyard chickens (both the site and the reality). We decided to buy 5 sex link laying hens from a small feed store owner. He said they were about 9 months old, although there's no real way to be sure of the truth of that I guess. They are not the healthiest looking birds - maybe dumb to have bought them but here we are. It's been 8 days at this point with no eggs. They seem happy trotting around free-range in the yard (and I have looked around the yard - not just coop/nesting boxes for eggs btw) scratching, eating bugs etc. Drinking fine, eating 16% laying pellets, they have oyster shell and grit... I think I've seen that the change of moving can cause a pause in egg-laying but how long before we need to admit that we were probably sold hens past the point of lay? Is there any way to tell? What would you do regarding worming/checking for health issues if you took in some grown hens? I don't have pictures at the moment but can take some tomorrow if that might help. Thank you for any advice!!

I had some of those. Once they got going you would have eggs coming out your kazoo. Mine started laying anywhere between 5 to 6 months

 

[BigBlueHen53]

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?