Inherited Chicken Coop & Chickens Not Laying

[teach1rusl]

Egg Song: Bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk-bawawwwkk!!! Repeated several times urgently...lol Some of mine start as they're headed in to the coop, and all of them do it afterward.

 

[sheaviance1]

Did the neighbor you got them from say how well they were laying before you took them?

 

[Happy Chooks]

I think everyone else has mentioned the key points:

They will take a while to adjust, chickens HATE change.
It does sound as though the coop is a bit small, but you're making plans to fix that.
Feed change is very important - I 2nd Flockraiser. Higher protein will help them make eggs.
If you see feather loss like a pillow exploded, then they could be molting - they don't lay eggs when they molt.
And if you think some of them are too young to lay, post pics and we can let you know if they are close, or have a while to go.

Enjoy your new birds! You'll have eggs soon.

 

[VikingMom]

Quote:

Based on the exploding pillow description we think the Australorps are molting. My husband went up to check on the Girls this morning and saw a bunch of feathers on the ground and had to quickly count the Girls. Which may explain why they are not laying eggs. Any special additives should be added to their food at this time? Oyster shells to follow soon to their higher protein diet. We have access to Purina Layer brand and that is what they are currently eating. We are also adding an "organic" supplement as a treat which is basically oatmeal, flax seed, rice, peas, etc... etc. The Girls also get fresh vegies from the garden. Currently, they inhale tomatoes and corn. On hot days we have given them chilled watermelon. Which is funny to watch. Anyone give yogurt?

In the next day or so we will post pictures of the Girls and the Little Girls.

So, what is considered a large flock? 12 hens considered med-size or large?

My step daughter posted a bumper sticker on her FB site. Quote: " My friends are weirder then chickens and Maaan they are weird."

Helen

 

[teach1rusl]

Your step-daughter must have some strange friends, 'cause chickens sure are odd birds...hehee. I would consider 12 birds an average/med. size flock, since many people have 30+ birds, and others (like me) only have a handful.
My girls love yogurt (I buy the off brand), although they didn't when they were younger. To boost protein, some give a little cat food, salmon, sunflower seeds (I buy them without the shell from Feeder's Supply). That'll help w/feather regrowth.
Looking forward to pics...

 

[Chickenmaven]

As others have said, chickens do not like change. My chickens entirely quit laying when I switched them from TCS's Dumoor brand to Purina Layena. I can only guess, but I believe they did not like the switch to a vegetarian feed.
Your flock is young, I am sure things will even out for you (and them) in the coming months.

 

[Chickenmaven]

If they are molting, I would add protein (meat!) to their diet.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Increase their protein either by feeding a higher protein feed (like flockraiser) or supplement with meat, cooked eggs (I know, their not laying though!), tuna, cat food, etc. They need the protein to regrow feathers.

 

[VikingMom]

Quote:
We are the third owners of the Australorps and second owners of the Leghorns. According to our neighbor the Australorps only laid an egg every other day. They claimed that the original owners got eggs every day. The Leghorns never laid eggs for them.

 

[VikingMom]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/61144_australorps.jpg



https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/61144_the_leghorns.jpg



https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/61144_the_coop.jpg



Hi Everyone! Here are quick pictures of the Older Girls and the coop.