Hens not laying. HELP

[poncemartin1]

I'm not sure on the age. We got them from a friends farm that had 50+ chickens pretty much just let each of my sons pick out a chicken they liked. I do know they were all laying when I got them because the first two days we had four different color eggs. But then the stress of the move kicked in and they stopped laying.

 

[poncemartin1]

When I built my coop and run I had planned on letting the chickens free range. But after a week of free range 2 them discovered how to get up and over my six-foot fence so now they have to be kept in the run. It's 34 1/2 ft.² Do you guys think getting it to 40 ft.² the size that's been recommended would make that much of The difference in their Egg laying? And yes the wings are clipped they managed to jump from object to object in my yard to get on top and yes the wings are clipped they managed to jump from object to object in my yard to get on top of the fence our fence.

 

[junebuggena]

40 sq ft would be the absolute minimum. 48 to 50 would be ideal for your large-breed birds. And the issue of the too small coop needs to be addressed, as well.

 

[poncemartin1]

*update* I have double the size of the coop and run. Also cut out junk filler food and switched to a higher protein diet and added a second source of water. The question I have today is how long should I give them to start laying before I take up the farmers offer of exchange the hens?

 

[dekel18042]

*update* I have double the size of the coop and run. Also cut out junk filler food and switched to a higher protein diet and added a second source of water. The question I have today is how long should I give them to start laying before I take up the farmers offer of exchange the hens?

Could any of your hens be broody? Some of my breeds slow down In the winter, but over summer the broodies will slow production. Also when they're molting production ceases. You can bring them out of a molt faster by feeding a higher protein food like Purina feather fixer.

 

[junebuggena]

*update* I have double the size of the coop and run. Also cut out junk filler food and switched to a higher protein diet and added a second source of water. The question I have today is how long should I give them to start laying before I take up the farmers offer of exchange the hens?

About a week or two.

 

[bigt447]

Hold back on treats to less than 10% of total food consumption...and make them the higher protein ones. You may should even knock of them for a while....as they may have been used to eating only a quality layer feed.

 

[poncemartin1]

Update and next question. It's been two weeks since I doubled their coop and run and put them on a high-protein diet and cut out table scrap fillers. The results are the same. I have one that's been laying every day for a month and a half. 2 that haven't laid anything in 3 1/2 months and one that laid for the first two months I had her and then stopped and hasn't laid anything in a month . The farmer I purchased them from is offering to swap them out. Should I swap out the three that aren't laying or just the two that Have never laid for me? Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

[junebuggena]

Give them a bit more time. Playing 'musical' hens, by constantly swapping them out for 'newer' ones isn't necessarily going to get you more eggs. It's just about the time of year when molting starts. Hens also won't lay if they are too stressed by summer heat. It's entirely possible that they need another week for stress hormones to fully clear their systems. If you swap out the non layers for new birds, the one that you do have laying will likely stop for a while. And it will take the new ones a while to start laying regular after being moved. If you do choose to get some new birds, be sure that they are younger, just about to lay birds; rather than mature, been laying for a while hens. They will have time to adjust to their new home before they begin laying, and they will lay all winter long for you.