/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Leghorns not laying... how long is normal

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by megsypegsypooh, Nov 17, 2014.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Nov 17, 2014 #1
    megsypegsypooh

    megsypegsypooh New Egg

    1
    0
    7
    Nov 17, 2014
    Hi am very new to this, we got 2 brown leghorns 3 weeks ago. They are 8 months old and were laying for a week and now both stopped , it's been a week maybe 10 days. They were introduced to two other hens and have been a little stressed. I am wondering how long it is normal for them to go off the lay??
     
  3. Nov 17, 2014 #2
    Mountain Peeps

    Mountain Peeps Change is inevitable, like the seasons Premium Member

    28,340
    4,222
    516
    Apr 23, 2014
    At our lodge
    My Coop
    Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

    Since they are going through a stressful time, they won't lay until things calm down again. I introduced new chickens to my flock this year and the hens stopped laying for about a month. Once they get settled down, the eggs should return to the nest boxes. In the meantime, make sure they have food, water, calcium and plenty of room an boredom busters.

    Good luck!
     
  5. Nov 18, 2014 #3
    drumstick diva

    drumstick diva Still crazy after all these years. Premium Member

    81,008
    8,121
    766
    Aug 26, 2009
    Out to pasture
    Are the new hens fighting with the older ones? This would be a source of stress also. j[​IMG]
     
  7. Nov 18, 2014 #4
    BantamLover21

    BantamLover21 Overrun With Chickens

    23,603
    1,310
    396
    Jul 24, 2013
    [​IMG] Glad you joined us!
     
  9. Nov 18, 2014 #5
    TwoCrows

    TwoCrows Show me the way old friend... Staff Member

    31,929
    4,444
    581
    Mar 21, 2011
    New Mexico, USA
    My Coop
    Hello there and welcome to BYC! [​IMG]

    Any stress in the coop can cause hens to stop laying. So can molting, and the shortening of the days of winter. So make sure nobody is being bullied, you have enough space in your coop, (5 square feet per bird) you have enough nest boxes, (1 box per 3 or 4 hens) 10 square foot per bird in the coop. If you do have any bullies in the coop, you may need to separate them out for a while or use pinless peepers.

    Other than aggression, you will need to wait until they calm down, they stop molting or the daylight hours increase.

    Good luck and welcome to our flock!
     
  11. Nov 18, 2014 #6
    Wyandottes7

    Wyandottes7 Overrun With Chickens

    20,561
    1,148
    391
    Jul 24, 2013
    Welcome to BYC! [​IMG]We're glad to have you.
     
  13. Nov 18, 2014 #7
    pfewless

    pfewless Out Of The Brooder

    92
    6
    43
    Oct 31, 2014
    Welcome to BYC. I have a white leghorn as well. She has not laid an egg for me yet either. I purchased her as a pullet and her molt is over. If you like we can compare notes and wait together. I am in Michigan. I have met all the requited needs she has now I am on to looking into what I can add. She is not my only chicken. Just the only leghorn.
     
  15. Nov 18, 2014 #8
    Kelsie2290

    Kelsie2290 True BYC Addict Premium Member

    36,684
    4,692
    566
    Feb 18, 2011
    Ohio
    Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC!
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by