I'm new to this.... but my chickens have only laid 3 eggs in their 10 month lives

[brianyc]

Hey friends,
I've been reading through the forums and it seems that most people who have chickens who aren't laying just have to wait it out. I've waited 10 months for my chickens to produce eggs. At one point they (or one of them) laid 3 eggs, but then they stopped. I've put in a light for the winter and done as many things as I have read to help them produce eggs.

Any other ideas????

Thanks.

 

[hispoptart]

It will help to know what kind of chickens you have. Some lay a lot later then others breeds.

 

[donrae]

What breeds are they and tell us more about what you feed, how they are housed, free range, etc. Also, are you sure they're all hens?

 

[blueberrychickens]

yes, breeds would be helpful to know. It is winter time, sometimes added light doesn't always help. Mine have extra light & this yr only 2 of 8 are laying eggs & only 1 of those 2 have been laying all winter! (the other just started up last week)

 

[brianyc]

Well, I don't know what breed they are. I got them from a family friend, who gave them to me a week old. The eggs that they laid were blue-ish. One is off-white and the other is reddish. I'm guessing one is Ameraucana,

I'm currently feeding them Purina Layena crumbles, which they eat a lot of. They are pooping a lot too. I let them out of the coop every other day or so. They aren't crowing, so I thought they would be hens.....

 

[Wisher1000]

They are probably EE's who are known for laying late. I would think it will be this spring some time. It may take till March or April. If they are roosters, it will take longer.

 

[Bullitt]

It may take till March or April. If they are roosters, it will take longer.

Ha Ha! Very funny.

Brianyc, get you a few good laying hens in you want eggs. Check craigslist for some inexpensive hens. Breeds like Rhode Island Red, Australorp, Plymouth Rock (most common type is often called Barred Rock), or maybe some of Sex-Links, which are crosses. Try to get hens less than two years old.

 

[Wisher1000]

 

[brianyc]

Uh, thanks for laughing.

 

[brianyc]

well, does anyone have thoughts about why they laid 3 eggs, then stopped for months????