Is this bizarre?

[payanek]

I have 3 pullets about 4 months old. I found an egg in the run on Thursday, but since then there have been no new eggs which would make it 3 days. Is this normal when they start laying? I also found it quite odd they are laying at 4 months.
In addition to that, it seems they are not eating or drinking as much. The feed and water level is practically unchanged in the past day or so, but they do eat the mealworms, clover, tomatoes and other greens that I toss into the run. Does anybody have any experience with this type of behavior?

 

[payanek]

oh yea forgot to mention they are not lethargic or sickly looking either. They are moving around and get excited when I come around with mealworms or other treats.

 

[saddina]

Breed would be helpful, but yes some hens do lay at 16 weeks, and in the beginning you can have an odd cycle as things are just setting up.

As for the feed... are you giving them too many snacks and they don't want dinner? (not a bad thing itself, mine'll nosh on anything else over feed).

 

[ChooksChick]

They will eat anything other than feed, but if you've got someone laying you need to hike up the calcium level by making certain they have oyster shell or layer feed. Also, the protein content being high can kick them into laying gear, so if they're getting treats with protein intermittently, you may see some fits and starts.

They do start off that way, anyway- getting the equipment up and running.

 

[payanek]

thanks for the input! I'm pretty sure they are ISA Browns. I started to provide oyster shell after I got the first egg. I sprinkled some in their feed so they would know it's food, so maybe they were sort of scared of that "thing" in their food lol. But anyway they ate a lot more feed today since I was not home and I'm guessing they were hungry.

 

[wawafiveseven]

mmmmm .... they cant really tell the difference if you mix in the oyster shells real well

 

[TammyTX]

One of my EE'rs began laying at 18 weeks and she has laid an egg about every other day or every two days.

ETA: They have been small but double yolks.

....now if the other 38 would just get the hint!

 

[hearthnsoul]

Oh my how lucky,..I can't wait to see my first egg!!!