Greetings from South Carolina / Help

[BethanySC]

Hello, My name is Bethany. I bought three Reds from Tractor Supply at Easter time, 2012. I always wanted chickens but when I bought the three chicks I really wasn't prepared and I still do not have my pen built. I have them living in a small coop, about 2x3 feet but they are let out to "play" at least once a day. They have been very good about not wondering off too far and I can always catch them to bring them in. Daily, my sons catch small lizards, grasshoppers, and other types of bugs and feed them to the chickens along with the standard chicken feed. They love their treats!

I am having a problem. A few weeks ago two of them started laying eggs. We got wonderful eggs daily for about 2-3 weeks and then they just stopped. Its been over a week and no eggs??? can anyone tell me why that might be?

 

[thebanthams]

Not sure, could be changed of diet, weather? are they moulting?

 

[Kevin565]

X2 on the above post

 

[BethanySC]

hello, and thank you for the reply. Is molting when they lose their feathers? If so, no and the diet has been consistent since they were chicks,

 

[Kevin565]

Yes molting is when they lose their feathers. It varies how long they molt but it's usually a few weeks.

 

[sumi]

Hello and welcome to BYC

Have you had a change in the weather by you? Did they get a big fright before they stopped laying? Are they acting any different than usual?

 

[BethanySC]

Everything seems to be fine. They did start laying earlier then I was told. Weather has been great. How old are they when they normally star laying?

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, BeathanySC, and

! Happy you joined us! Different breeds begin at different times - 18-24 weeks to start is pretty standard. Good luck to you!!

 

[Hiker]

good morning, that is the same thing i am going thru, they laid one than stopped, 1 more and stopped and over the weekend got 2 more! i think it will be more regular with time. added photos of the eggs

 

[Red Barn Farms]

Howdy! Were they laying inside the coop in nesting boxes? If you are letting your chickens free range outdoors during the morning hours the chances are they are laying their eggs and you might have to go hunting for them.