Hens not laying

[kudzu vine]

I have two Buffs, four Barred Rocks and Betty. Betty is mixed Bantam and buff and lays almost every day. But, the others hardly ever lay. They are about a year and a half old. They are fed cracked corn, laying pellets, oyster shell and free range during the day. I'm ready for them to go! What could be the problem?

 

[detali]

Two possibilities, either your hens are older than you think that's why they hardly ever laying, or else they are hiding their eggs out somewhere when they are free ranging.

 

[NewEnglandChick]

If you raised them since they were chicks and know exactly how old they are, I would agree with the laying while free ranging theory.
Keep them penned up a few days (either just coop, or coop & run) with their laying boxes and see if you don't get some results.

 

[monita]

I have the same problem except its just my bantams that are not laying. All My standard fowl are still laying like crazy. I want bantam chicks and can't have any if they won't lay. Ugh... it is so frustrating. Is there something I can do to get them to lay again?

 

[llewis]

I have this exact same problem and cannot figure it out for the life of me. My old english bantams this year have stopped laying eggs and I dont know whats causing it but it is getting late in the laying season and I still have no chicks for next year. These are hens that are at least 12 months old now so they are pleanty old enough. I haven't changed anything as far as feeding, watering etc. So does anyone know what I can feed to them to stimulate egg production or do for them to help them get going?

Thanks

llewis

 

[kudzu vine]

I'm trying something that I hope will bring on the eggs. First, when I turn them out I'm not feeding them, only late afternoon when I put them back in pen and then feeding mainly laying pellets and very little corn.

Second, I've put a light back in their house. What I've seen is half go out in the morning and the other half are still on their perch up to around noon. Yesterday, I did get some eggs. I have looked the yard over for laying on the ground - nothing. Plus, since they are in a very large enclosed back yard, I never see one disappear. So, there are no eggs in the backyard.

I'm going to try this for the next two weeks and then if I get no eggs - they'll have to go. It is very frustrating. I live in North Mississippi and it gets cold here in the winter. Last winter, I was getting an egg every day from almost all of the girls. Now, the weather is nice and they're free ranging - nothing. Keep ya'll informed of experiment.

Janet