I think I have hens??

[stephbrown]

So, I have five chickens. They were sold to me as Dominickers, but I am not positive that is what they are. I am totally new to this, so not sure. I also tried to determine gender earlier, but now that they are older, I thought someone could tell me what they think about their breed and gender. They should be about four and a half months old. I started putting hay in the boxes to see if they would start laying eggs, but they just keep throwing it all out. Put two fake eggs in there and they kicked those out as well. Is it just too soon? Or do I have a bunch of roosters? Thanks for your help and any suggestions. (I am just transitioning them to crumbles from starter/grower food and only give them treats a few times a week)

 

[FarmerGirl101]

They all look like pullets to me!

 

[black_cat]

These are all barred plymouth rock hens. They look like they should be laying, but they may be stressed from the move.

 

[stephbrown]

These are all barred plymouth rock hens. They look like they should be laying, but they may be stressed from the move.

I have had them since they were baby chicks. Do you have any suggestions on how to destress them or encourage them to lay?

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Plymouth Barred Rocks, AKA Barred Rocks, and pullets.

 

[black_cat]

I have had them since they were baby chicks. Do you have any suggestions on how to destress them or encourage them to lay?

Whoops! I was under the impression that you had gotten them as adults for some reason If they haven't been moving there probably aren't any stress factors, unless you're crowding them which I assume you aren't. I think that to get them to lay you have to keep buying grocery store eggs-you'll start getting fresh ones right after you bring home that 2 dozen carton from the store There's really nothing you can do but wait.

 

[stephbrown]

Whoops! I was under the impression that you had gotten them as adults for some reason If they haven't been moving there probably aren't any stress factors, unless you're crowding them which I assume you aren't. I think that to get them to lay you have to keep buying grocery store eggs-you'll start getting fresh ones right after you bring home that 2 dozen carton from the store There's really nothing you can do but wait.

Thanks- guess I am headed off the buy several dozen from the grocery! Appreciate your help!

 

[sourland]

They are Barred Rock pullets and are still a couple of weeks away from onset of laying. Birds in pictures 3 and 5 are slightly more advanced than the rest.

 

[black_cat]

Thanks- guess I am headed off the buy several dozen from the grocery! Appreciate your help!

It's murphy's law-if you forget an umbrella, it rains, if you buy lots of eggs, your hens start laying

 

[FuzzyCritters]

Barred rock pullets. They are not ready to lay yet, it takes a bit longer for a dual purpose bird to start laying. I'm guessing yours will start to lay between 20 and 24 weeks old.