HELP 6 month red stars and NO eggs

[newtxchick]

OK so I got some chickens that were about 4 months old back in Feb. (the lady I bought them from offered to buy them back) so I trust their age.

They're NOT laying!? At first I apparently wasn't feeding enough, and I added calcium into their diet. However, its been at least a month and a half since I made those changes and nothing.

A few weeks to a month ago we found a worm and treated them all with wazine in the water.

What am I doing wrong!? They're in a chicken tractor most of the day we do let them out in the evening, sometimes more depending on the day.

Any tips!? I'm worried they'll never lay!? I mean they HAVE to at some point, right!? lol

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Are their combs bright red? Do they squat or inspect the nest area?

I really can be any day now if those things are happening.

 

[newtxchick]

Yes their combs have gotten so much redder! I haven't noticed much squatting or checking out the nests though

 

[donsgirl67]

I'm having the same problem. My BR and Black Sex Links are all 5 mos old. Comb and wattles are red, squatting but no eggs and no sign tnat they have ever been in the nesting boxes.

 

[Peep_Show]

Chickens need 14 hours of light (daylight or artificial) to trigger laying. It sounds like your birds matured during the diminished daylight time, so whereas they may be ready to lay they haven't been triggered to. However, with the lengthening of days, I'll bet it will be soonly you discover eggs *IF* they don't have a secret nest somewhere.

 

[newtxchick]

Yes I got them back in Feb (4 months) and our weather in TX has been pretty crazy (cold today and overcast) should I supplement light or just trust they'll figure it out very soon!?

Oh and no secret nest they're in a chicken tractor we move around our yard and the only time they're out is when we monitor them!

Crazy question but can handling them cause issues with no eggs? My kids love them!

 

[Peep_Show]

I'd say wait. I think with sex-links 18-20 weeks is the magic number and it's sprinting into long day hours. And, no, if the kids handle regularly (and don't terrorize the birds) they should be fine. Chickens are creatures of habit, you know. If not handled after being handled regularly they'd probably wonder what was up (or so I'm guessing). I'd suggest handling in the afternoon, though, instead of the morning as they'll probably want to do what hens do best at that time (which is l-a-y)