Hens not laying eggs and wanting feed suggestions

[Lawrencefiddler]

I took on 6 hens around the first week of August. The individual who I purchased them from thought they would be laying by now. Here is my set up and what I have:

2 Barred Rocks
2 Buff Orpingtons
2 Rhode Island Reds

The combs and waddles look pretty pronounced on the barred rocks and buff orpingtons. One of the reds hardly has any comb and waddle and the other is a little more pronounced but not like the other chickens.
They live in a chicken tractor that I move every two days.
I feed them equal amounts of Dumor 16% Organic Layer feed and something that looks like scratch which they were on when I got them back in August.
I am not sure what I should really be feeding them now or how much per chicken and I am wondering if this might be why they aren't laying?

I am sure these questions are on here somewhere. I live in Lawrence, Kansas and have enjoyed getting to do this in my yard. Thanks for any help.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Scratch should only be a treat. I have never tried to figure out how much each chicken eats, I just fill up the feeder and they eat all day long, feed shouldn't be rationed. Could you attach pictures of your wonderful new flock?

 

[NatJ]

Can you post some pictures? The chickens, the coop, and the bags of feed.
Especially for the "something that looks like scratch," please try to get the guaranteed analysis (%protein, %fat, etc.)

 

[Lawrencefiddler]

Yes. I will take pictures of them tomorrow and post. Thanks for your help.

 

[bobbi-j]

How old are they?

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

I would not feed laying feed until you see the first egg. They need starter to help them grow and mature so they can eventually lay. Sometimes I switch to all flock right before I think they will start laying because it's higher in protein. They don't process the calcium in the layer feed correctly if they have not started laying.

 

[Lawrencefiddler]

If I have my information correct, they are ~20 weeks.

 

[NatJ]

The ones with larger, redder combs are getting "close" to ready to lay. Unfortunately, it can still feel like forever before they really do lay

The ones with smaller combs are further from laying. Different breeds and different individuals develop at different rates.

Do you have a picture of the feed bag for the food that "looks like scratch" that you mentioned in the first post?

I see they have layer feed and water available in the photos--good! They should have food and water available all of the time that they are awake. (They don't eat or drink in the dark.)

 

[Mrs. K]

I am inferring that you are thinking that if you fed them correctly, they would be laying. Not going to change anything. They lay when they get ready. I too am waiting on 5 girls. Sometimes I mention that free-loaders with dumplings is a real option... but they just giggle.
ahh -squawk.

Are they squatting if you reach for them? That is a sign too. They are getting close, but changing up your feed won't help. I think what you are feeding is probably pretty good now.

Mrs K

 

[Lawrencefiddler]

I am inferring that you are thinking that if you fed them correctly, they would be laying. Not going to change anything. They lay when they get ready. I too am waiting on 5 girls. Sometimes I mention that free-loaders with dumplings is a real option... but they just giggle.
ahh -squawk.

Are they squatting if you reach for them? That is a sign too. They are getting close, but changing up your feed won't help. I think what you are feeding is probably pretty good now.

Mrs K

Yes.