How many eggs should I expect? Amateur needing advice!

[alileggett]

I brought home 3 hens 5 days ago and they've only produced 2 (although delicious) eggs. Does it take them a while to get used to their new surroundings or did I buy duds. ; )
I'm feeding them cracked corn and a bit of oyster shell and they pick through the ground litter in the run. They are supposed to be approximately 1 year old, but I know nothing about aging a chicken!

This is my first chicken raising experience and it's REALLY early in the game so any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Ali

2 Black Sex-links, 1 Barred Rock

 

[Billyj]

I would also suggest that you give them some type of laying food. Layena is what I use. The cracked corn does not give them all the nutrients they need. I suggest using the cracked corn as a treat and not the primary food. I also think that the move for them may slow down their laying, if they were laying 1 a day before. It should not take them long to get back to normal. If they just started laying, it may take them a while to get going. Just a thought.

 

[alileggett]

Thanks for the advice, BillyJ!

I'll stop by the co-op tomorrow.

-Ali

 

[FortWorthChicks]

I agree with Billy J they need different food. I use the layena too and my girls crank out some eggs

After you get them on the layena if they dont start laying in a few days you can scramble an egg or two for em.

 

[aussieheelr]

I would bet that you'll only get 1-2 eggs a day from 3 hens... or last don't expect more than that so you can be suprised if you do get more

 

[Ridgerunner]

Stress can cause a chicken to stop laying. Moving to a new home is just as stressful to them as it would be for you. Disturbing the pecking order is also stressful. I'd guess they may have come from a different arrangement where here were more chickens. They now have to sort out which chicken is boss in this grouping. Depending on where you are, the length of daylight they see, and how cold or hot it is, they may really slow down or even stop laying. If it is winter where you are, it may be spring before they really take off laying again. I'd advise patience.

I agree with the others. You need to provide the right feed for them. The layer feed contains vitamins, minerals and calcium they need to lay. If you think about it, a laying hen produces an egg that is a reasonable percentage of her body weight every time she lays. She needs a good nutricious balanced diet to do that.

Good luck and welcome to the forum. Glad you are here.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

You didn't say how old your hens were.. Some factors that I have found that contributes to egg laying: Age, diet, light (artifical or seasons/weather etc), water, stress and health! I have 9 young hens (three just started laying) and I get an average of 6 eggs a day-- The weather has been very cold and wet. I do not offer artifical lights. I feed high protein treats (BOSS, oats, preiumn birdseed that has berries, nuts but no corn. They need fresh water daily. If they are stressed from predators, you messing with their surrounds, dogs chasing them etc... and health --sick birds don't produce--mites, lice, worms....

I have found that IF my girls get to free range for a few hours a day they lay much better. IF it rains for days and it's dark and dreary only a few will lay..

Don't do like I did and go buy a huge basket for your eggs or you'll have to put pading in there.....

 

[Keri78]

Think Protein!!! I feed mixed grains called "scratch" it does have cracked corn in it but other grains too. I add black oil sunflower seeds(half & half) and then also give good kitchen scraps daily and also a scoop of oyster shell at least a couple times a week...my girls lay well! They also free range all day everyday so they get lots of protein from bugs and good grass to eat! But usually out of four hens I get 3 eggs a day on occassion 4 but not the norm! There's a real simple solution to this...more hens!!!

Blessings, Keri

 

[chickensioux]

Hens are usually in their laying prime between 1-3 years of age and then they slow down. They do not lay when they molt, and sporadically in the winter without artificial light. They definately laying pellets/crumbles as their main diet, grit regualrly and cracked corn/scratch sparingly. Yummy treats like broccoli, yogurt, etc. they love to get too!!!

 

[chickensioux]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart
Here is a great treat list



http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0
This is a great poo chart........yes, poo chart