Laying encouragement...

[JacP]

Hello fellow slaves to the chicken coop!
I need a little hen advise.
I have 8 lil gals that are just coming to point of lay, Then I have 2 older ladies, both of which were laying when I got them over a month ago. Mama kept laying... an egg every other day without fail.. but the layer hen an ISA has not layed a single one... I have 2 boxes for them to lay in, I even called her old owner to ask where she layed before, I put a milk crate filled with hay out like she said she liked. Still no eggs, she is only 16months old... no eggs?
I need laying encouragement advise.. do i put a few golf balls in the nesting boxes? (this may help little gals get it right too, but will it put my only laying hen off? ) feeling a little ticked because I gave the other 3 hens ISA that came with the 5 to my friend & she is getting 2-4 eggs a day!!
They free range all day just coming in to roost at night in their coop... She is NOT laying anywhere else either,
Sucks!!
Advise??

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Feed them a palatable nutritionally complete ration;
make sure their water is clean, fresh and plentiful;
provide them with a snug, dark, comfortable, well ventilated nest box,; and
give them a safe, secure place to roost at night.

Then sit on your hands and be patient. Nature will take its course.

If the one bird is sixteen months old and you recently moved her to a new flock then she is likely getting ready to molt. That's normal and natural. They'll all take up their duties when the time is right and there's no a doggone thing you can do to hurry them up.