Hens not laying...

[sbarab]

I bought 2 Barred Rock hens at a chicken/farm animal swap at the end of April. The seller said they had been laying the day before ths swap. I brought them home and set them up in a 10' x 10' dog run w/ an old drawer for a nest box. I have tried a dummy egg in the nest box, extra hay in the nest box, and it has been a month and no eggs yet.

I just transitioned these girls into my regular chicken population yesterday and built them 4 nest boxes. I am hoping that this helps and they start feeling more secure in their new home w/ all of my 3 & 5 month old pullets.

Could these girls possibly be too old to lay? I have no idea how old they are.

 

[Judy]

It's possible, though most hens will lay some for several years. Could they be finishing up a molt? Or maybe they're just taking a little longer to get used to the new environment than some do.

The only way I know to guess age is to look at the length of the toenails, and of course long nails are only an indication, they can wear them off on rough ground or break them.

I do hope he wasn't just dumping two he knew were not laying.

 

[sbarab]

Thanks for the quick response.

I really don't know if they are finishing a molt. I did notice yesterday when moving them that one has a bald spot on her breast. Both were fully feathered when I got them.

I am truly a chicken nooby - got my first in February.

 

[sbarab]

I go out for the day and come home to an Egg!

I can say I haven't made such an excited phone call to DH since our first litter of kittens was born.

It would probably weigh in as a large small or a medium size. Pretty brown with speckles. I'm guessing it is from one of the two BR girls. My Delaware hens are almost 5 months now so could have been one of them as well.