How can I keep my hens from laying

[J3172]

I have two OEGB hens laying right now, I dont not have a nest box in the cage but one hen is always in the corner sitting on them. Does this mean she will be a broody hen? Second I have only ever had egg laying chickens which lay an egg every day for about two years then stop. DO OEGB lay all year? one hen is one the other is two years old how long will they lay for? I live in michigan and bought these birds to set on pheasant eggs, but I heard that they must be laying to set, is this true and if so how can I stop them from laying as my pheasant havent started?

 

[gsim]

No protein or very low protein. It may be really hard to ever get them started again tho if done for too long.

 

[silkiechicken]

You can also stop them by dropping their exposure to light.

That said, if you want them to set, they need to be healthy and part of being healthy is their natural hormonal cycles that can be purturbed by changing diet and light. You can't really force a hen to be broody and will have to set your eggs when they are ready for them.

OEGB's will be like other hens, they will lay the best for the first few years, then slow down.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Stopping them won't make any difference in terms of how long they will lay. It may actually compromise their health. I had a BA that laid for 14 years, but not having raised OEGBs, I can't speak for them. As far as the pheasant eggs, they will lay when they decide to. Are OEGB known for broodiness?

Cutting their required nutrition will only lead to unhealthy hens. I would keep feeding them and enjoy the eggs!

 

[J3172]

yea I dont plan on cutting anything as far as nutrition goes I need them to be happy and healthy, they light as they are in the basement I dont think they can handle how cold it is out side right now, but I'm a college student and have a job so I cant just turn the light on for a couple hours. SO will they lay all year??