I have a problem...

[The Red Rooster]

Ok... I have about 20 chickens right now. Only 4 of them lay eggs. I just can't kill them.

Will anyone buy chickens that don't really lay?

 

[Glenmar]

Maybe they are not old enough.

 

[magicpigeon]

I've been there. You can sell them as pets I suppose? Or just give them to someone else to dispatch?

 

[The Red Rooster]

I'll try selling them then. I can't keep them if they don't lay eggs. Thanks!

 

[GardenGal]

Are they very old? Have they been under stress? Is there anything you could adjust in their diet? Good luck!

 

[Nonny]

You mentioned in another thread that you had chicks about 3 months old - are these the ones that you are talking about? If so, you should find the number of layers increases as they come into maturity.

 

[Cetawin]

I was about to say the same thing...at 3 months old, they should not be laying at all. Expect eggs, depending on the breed, averaging 20-25 weeks but some can start sooner or later than that. Extreme heat (ie temps above 80 consistently) can put them off laying, molting will put them off as will extreme cold. You really need to figure out 1. Are the at laying age. 2) environmental effects on laying and 3) is it a temporary layoff

Chickens take breaks from laying which is good for them, they are not machines and their bodies need the break.

 

[speckledhen]

I think you need to tell us how old these birds are. Until then, can't comment. They aren't machines. All sorts of factors affect their laying. If they aren't old enough, well, there ya go.

 

[brahmakid11]

they might be to young to lay

 

[The Red Rooster]

I'm talking about my other chickens. I think they might be to old because they are 3 years old. I haven't seen them molt yet. Some of them have never layed when we got them a year ago.