Mama to 2 non-laying Cochins

[theminimizer]

Hey Y'all,

We got these beautiful chickens from someone facing a health issue and unable to care for them in October 2012 (6 months old). They both laid eggs the first 6 days they were here. Then, they apparently detested the change of feed (the old owners fed them vegetarian pellets and we could only find regular pellets), molted, and stopped laying altogether. It's been enough months, all their feathers have grown back in and they seem happy enough. We feed them table scraps, and let them roam the yard whenever we are playing outside. (Stopped free ranging after an eagle took a dive at them.) They still don't love their feed, but went crazy happy about the scratch I added to their diet 3 days ago. We haven't gotten a single egg from either one since October. Not really sure what we are doing wrong. We have a lovely little tractor coop, feed them Homegrown pellets, use deep litter straw method, live in TX, and hope to have laying hens again soon. Any ideas of things we might be missing?

Thanks for your help.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas and

! Glad to have you here! Your story is a puzzler - sounds like you're doing everything right.

I'd like to think they're just slow coming off the molt. You might want to post in the link below for more advice on your problem. Good luck to you!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/18/chicken-behaviors-and-egglaying

 

[theminimizer]

Thanks Redsocs! Will do.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!!

 

[Kevin565]

 

[thasista]

Hi from Kentucky!

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[sourland]

As the day length increases they will resume egg laying. Cochins especially can be somewhat seasonal layers. Welcome to BYC.

 

[theminimizer]

Thanks for your hope guys! It all worked out. March 1st turned my 2 hens back on and I've gotten 6 eggs since then. Yay! Happy jig of joy!