List of egglaying factors

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

How do chickens get worms? Just from being outside in the world and eating whatever they can find?

Should we routinely worm them or should we find evidence of worms before subjecting the chickens to treatment?

You should find evidence of worms before de-worming them. Chickens can live with worms just fine. All wild-life have worms and they have been surviving that way for as long as they have existed. It is better that your chickens have a few worms than to routinely worm them. De-wormer is not good for your chickens. At all. You shouldn't de-worm them unless you have a worm problem. And a worm problem is different from just having worms.

 

[Kansas Prairie]

Number one: One should feel safer knowing that there are experienced people taking the time to read some of these threads. I read some pretty
crazy advice offered, but if it won't hurt anyone or the birds I just shake my head, sometimes laugh and move on.
Number two: If someone offers advice that would harm chickens, I sure hope some experienced folks are going to jump on it, throw a flag,
blow a whistle, scream foul!! Experienced herdsmen want the readers to quickly and boldly know it's incorrect, not lost in sugar coating...

The poster did the mature & correct thing, corrected
the mistake, apologized, and now we move on...

Ease up guys, It was a mistake. Number one, if you know that much about chickens you will know not follow this information; number two, if you are a new egg following this thread you need to get second and third opinions on everything; and number three, you don't have to crush down on someone like that. The point of this site is to share and educate not scare. If you want to help someone be a better husbander then help them and be polite, tell them if some info is incorrect but don't get all eggsasperated.

 

[bruceha2000]

When mine try to go broody, I put them in a separate small cage for a day or two and it stops them.

The old "time out in the corner" thing, eh? I'll put that in my memory (and hope it stays) in case any of my girls grow up to be broody.

 

[bruceha2000]

You should find evidence of worms before de-worming them.

Thanks Erin. I suspect it is high time I start reading through the
Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures forum. My worm question was probably covered at some point and I bet there is WAY more than I ever thought possible to learn on the subjects.

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

Thanks Erin. I suspect it is high time I start reading through the
Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures forum. My worm question was probably covered at some point and I bet there is WAY more than I ever thought possible to learn on the subjects.

Your welcome. It is said that pumpkin works as a natural wormer. You might try that. I am going to be giving my chickens pumpkin soon myself.

 

[Lady Ressler]

Thank you for all the information. It is so wonderful to have this site and its members as a resource.

So. I have a new question now.

My husband grinds feed for our cows and I asked him to do some for my chickens. Is ground corn and ground oats a good mix and in what ratio? I also have whole oats but they don't seem to like those very much. They have fee choice oyster shells so the calcium should be good and we eat scrambled eggs every other day and they get the left overs. But, is the ground corn and oats good enough and what ratio should I be feeding?

Again thank you to everyone for all your information!

 

[BullChick]

Your welcome. It is said that pumpkin works as a natural wormer. You might try that. I am going to be giving my chickens pumpkin soon myself.

Mine love pumpkin! I am tempted to start a "Chicken Pumpkin Art" thread. Next time, I will use a pie pumpkin, and use it to hold oatmeal and other treats.
BTW, it is HYSTERICAL to see chickens inside a pumpkin. If you can, get a 100 # pumpkin, and let the chickens run through it.

 

[sean_danny]

If your chickens are of laying age 16-28 ish weeks and you don't have pre-arranged nest boxes with dummy eggs in place, I would keep my eyes out for any other spots that a chicken might feel is a good, safe spot to lay.

i have a hen who is 32-33 weeks and still not laid yet. i heard from my friend that she had a hen who never laid ever and she had her for 4 years. how long is too long for her not to start laying? i have never had a hen take this long and i have had chickens for 5 years now. the hen in question is a copper maran. any suggestions anyone?

 

[BullChick]

i have a hen who is 32-33 weeks and still not laid yet. i heard from my friend that she had a hen who never laid ever and she had her for 4 years. how long is too long for her not to start laying? i have never had a hen take this long and i have had chickens for 5 years now. the hen in question is a copper maran. any suggestions anyone?

I just looked around. You are fine. They are late bloomers. Expect eggs anytime now, but this is normal. 30 weeks, and six months is what I kept finding. It was on BYC, too.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
The latest so far that I have is 30 weeks. It was a standard RIR. Now I have Heritage RIR's and it has been nearly 30 weeks for them and still no eggs. I don't know about Marans but have been told that some of the Heritage breeds usually take longer to start laying. Most of my other birds have started laying between 20 and 24 weeks with the occasional one that has started at 16 weeks to 20 weeks and a few after 24 weeks. I hope you get more input as I am very interested to know too.