How old are my chickens really??

[black_cat]

Black sexlinks are such reliable layers that I think that it's safe to say that they are either recovering from illness, under stress, or old.

 

[mertzee]

I'd guess around 2 years old. Their legs are pretty dull, a sign of an older hen who has been a layer. Since their feathers are in great condition, they probably molted this winter (so at least 16 months old).

What do you feed them? Do you know what the previous seller was feeding them?

If he was being honest with me...which I kind of doubt. He said they were just under a year old and they only free ranged with some scratch. I feed them layer crumbles, scratch, grit (oyster shells) and some treats like meal worms. They don't like pellets apparently so I had to buy crumbles, go figure.

 

[mertzee]

Also I'm in TN and the weather hasn't been too bad, we had a recent cold snap but nothing extreme.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Likely they're recovering from a poor diet then

 

[mertzee]

oh wow! I never thought of that. Do you think what I'm giving them is sufficient or do I need to add anything?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

oh wow! I never thought of that. Do you think what I'm giving them is sufficient or do I need to add anything?

Take away the scratch and only a few meal worms each every few days. The crumble will be fine and free range is fine. They'll eat the oyster as needed

 

[FuzzyCritters]

If he was being honest with me...which I kind of doubt. He said they were just under a year old and they only free ranged with some scratch. I feed them layer crumbles, scratch, grit (oyster shells) and some treats like meal worms. They don't like pellets apparently so I had to buy crumbles, go figure.

What the previous seller was feeding them was a pretty poor diet, so that could explain the lack of eggs. With a good diet, they should start laying more eggs. The layer feed and oyster shells are great, but limit treats to around a tablespoon per hen a day.

 

[Sammi_0411]

Il be honest I can't tell with them being mature if this helps to compare here's my black rock/sex links they are a year old xx

 

[Sammi_0411]

Yes keep to layer feed and oyster shells... They get nutrients they need to lay then this could be the issues as others said. Snacks like scratch and meal worms should only be no more 10% of the girls diet the previous owner was obv not well experienced or informed u can change this keep us updated on progress

 

[mertzee]

Take away the scratch and only a few meal worms each every few days. The crumble will be fine and free range is fine. They'll eat the oyster as needed

Yes keep to layer feed and oyster shells... They get nutrients they need to lay then this could be the issues as others said. Snacks like scratch and meal worms should only be no more 10% of the girls diet the previous owner was obv not well experienced or informed u can change this keep us updated on progress

THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE!!! I will start reducing the scratch and meal worms, leaving the oyster shells out and giving primarily the crumbles. What about scrambled eggs? Should I give them regularly or just from time to time?