My hens aren't laying. Advice please?

[WESTPALMPOULTRYMAN15]

HI I AM LOCATED IN WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA AND I HAVE 3 HENS AND A ROOSTER,I RESENTLY AQWIRED THEM FROM MY FRIEND.I HAVE TRIED EVRYTHING TO GET THEM TO LAY BUT THEY JUST WONT!THEY HAVE ONLY LAYED ONE EGG SO FAR, I HAVE THE LIGHT BECASE WE ARE IN DAYLIGHT SAVINGS THEY HAVE FRESH WATER ,GREAT LAYERS MASH,GRIT,AND NESTING BOXES!IM ABOUTE TO EXTEND MY COOP TOMAROW BUT CAN SOMEONE HELP PLEASE.


*edited to reword title of thread without caps lock.

*

 

[jeaucamom]

Sometimes the stress of a new environment can have them stop laying for a bit. Give them time, they will start laying again if they aren't too old.

 

[CovenantCreek]

They may be too young to lay. Can your friend tell you how old they are?

 

[buckbeak]

How old are they? I'm getting very few eggs now too, but I think that's natural for them and to be expected. I figure it will pick up again when the days get longer & the weather(here) gets warmer. They need a break in the winter.

 

[arlee453]

How long have you had them?

What's the sunrise/set times where you are right now?

How old are they?

Are they molting (dropping a lot of feathers?)

Sounds like the diet is OK, but there are many reasons hens stop laying for a while.

The three most common are winter, stress and moulting...

Be patient - they should start up for you again as they get settled in and the days get longer.

 

[Wildsky]

Can you post pic's of the hens?

That will help folk determine the breed, aprox age and if they're going through a molt or anything of that nature.

 

[WESTPALMPOULTRYMAN15]

THEY ARE 1 1/2 AND I HAVE A RHODE ISLAND RED, SPECELD SUSEX,A HUGE GIANT WHITE ONE WITH FETHERS ON HER FEET AND BLACK MARKINGS ON HER NECK.I ALSO HAV A ROOSTER BUT IM NOT CONVINCED HE IS ONE HE HAS A CROP BUT COULD HE BE A FEMALE THAT LOOKS LIKE A MALE?HE HAS GOLISH MARKINGS ON HIS NECK

 

[WESTPALMPOULTRYMAN15]

THEY ARE NOT GOING THROUGH MOLT BUT I THINK MAYBE THEY ARE TO CRAMPED UP IN THER COOP ITS PRETTY BID BUT IM EXTENDING IT TOMMAROW.IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN TELL IF THE ROSTER IS A ROOSTER?

 

[kayri]

Does your rooster crow? At 1 1/2 he should. If he doesn't can I have him?

If you post some pics, some of the experts on this web site (not me) could tell you.

 

[Corey NC]

Also, pretty please don't post in all caps.