My hen laid her first egg and none since then...

[Sammy1990]

Hi!! So my uncle and I ordered some chickens earlier in the year then divided up our order. I ordered 3 Barred Plymouth Rocks and 3 Rhode Island Reds. He ordered 12 Red Sex Links. They sent an extra Barred Plymouth and an extra Red Sex. He took the extra Barred Plymouth and I took a Red Sex Link. Only one of my chicks didnt make it (a Rhose Island Red). So now I have 2 Rhode Island Reds, a Red Sex Link, 3 Barred Plymouths. And I ended up with a Bantam Golden Seabright Rooster.

Just this week, my uncles' Barred Plymouth laid her first egg, and has continued to lay one daily since. One of my hens (I am not entirely sure which one, but I do believe its one of the Barred Plymouths) laid her first egg the day after his, but has not laid since.

Is that normal? Is there anything I should do to encourage laying?

They do free range all day, usually from 9 am until dusk when they return to their coop. I have checked all thwir favorite places to "nest" when out of their coop and still havent found any eggs. I saw somewhere to keep them in their coop/run, so I need to put a tarp over the run (which is a 6 ft dog kennel expanding from their coop) and they can fly right out when they want

Thanks for any advice!!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

It's normal for gals to not start up full on laying right away. Their system is still working it's kinks out and they are all individuals.

Be patient.

You can place fake eggs in your lay boxes if you like. It helps show the gals that other gals think it's a safe place to lay.

 

[Sammy1990]

Thanks for the information. I will have to buy some fake eggs to put in their boxes!

 

[aart]

Fake eggs in nests might help, but.....
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

Here's a way to tell....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Sammy1990]

Thank you!! I am going to put a "roof" over the kennel to keep them contained to their coop and "run" to help them learn where to lay. I also got some fake eggs to put in the nesting boxes. And that article was super helpful!!