Help!! My hens won't lay!

[Namble]

I got 2 Americana hens from a friend over a month ago. And they still haven't laid one egg. They are 1 & 2 y/o. I have a coop and nest box for them. They will go in the laying box and make there nest but don't lay anything! I have them on layer mash and oysters shell. Any reasons why they won't lay? Thanks

Grant

 

[TexasVet]

Do they have access to feed all day, or do you feed them on a schedule? If they aren't getting enough feed and water, they won't have the energy to lay. If they're going into a molt, and they're at the right ages to do it, they won't lay either. And, of course, laying really falls off in hot weather.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www. CountryChickens.com

 

[Whitehouse Quail]

Could they be past their prime? My Ameracunas laid through the spring and summer of their first year of life, and have only seen less than 5 since then. My others the same age are still kicking, though. Try letting them out of their pen (if they have one), that worked for me!

 

[TexasVet]

Another possibility... a snake is getting to the eggs before you do!

Kathy, Bellville TX
www. CountryChickens.com

 

[Namble]

Yep, they can get food any time they want to. They have water too.
I don't think they are molting. As I haven't seen any feathers on the ground. I really hope they start to lay in the fall.

 

[Namble]

I let them free range everday. I kept them in there cage for a few days because I thought they were laying somewhere else when I let them out. But that didn't work.

 

[Judy]

Or the hens are eating them.

Did your friend say they were laying when you got them? Maybe they just are taking a while to adjust to their new life. Chickens don't like change. Are you seeing a lot of feathers around? They could be in a partial molt.

 

[Namble]

She said they were laying an egg a day. They aren't in a molt because I don't see any feathers.