HI New member Zig Bar B Ranch in Central Florida

[zigbarbranch]

I have what ya'll will probably think is a stupid question but, I've been told several different things. I have 5 Delaware hens and no rooster. Do the hens have to have a rooster to lay eggs mine are about 4 months old and they all seem to be female they lay in one big pile rather than their nest boxes which are up and they have plenty of room to roost and plenty to eat and drink. They are very friendly and sweet but no one has started to even think about using the nest boxes or laying anything. Suggestions?

 

[GitaBooks]

Welcome to BYC! So glad you could join us!

Don't worry, hens will lay with or without a rooster. The eggs won't be fertile, but the hens will lay all the same. Between 4-6 months is the normal time for a pullet to begin laying. It can be so hard to wait! Try putting fake eggs or golf balls into the nests to attract their attention. The hens will start maturing and figure out that roosting is fun and using the nest boxes is smart.

Best of luck!

 

[Michael OShay]

X2 on GitaBooks advice. Hens actually tend to lay more eggs when they are not stressed by having a rooster around.