New Bantams that are 1 yr old not laying eggs

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8chixtolove

8chixtolove

Hatching
Aug 23, 2015
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I currently have four 5 month old Bantams laying eggs. I recently purchased 4 more Buff Abraham Bantams from this guy. When I asked how old his chickens were, he said he got these chickens from someone else and he's guessing about 1 yr old.
We brought them home and introduced to our current hens ( o rooster). They now get along, however it's been 5 days with no eggs from the new hens. And, there are so many feathers everywhere. There's patches of feathers missing from two of the new hens around the low back which the guy said was from a rooster. Also around their eye, it looks inflamed and red. Not sure if this is normal since I'm new to having chickens. I'm just concerned that their not laying eggs when he said they were. I've got them free range and they're loving digging and resting in the dirt. Any ideas as to why they're not laying? How long until they get comfortable since new home?
 
First off, these new birds should have been quarantined - since the seller didn't seem to know much about them and they have eye issues, which could be contagious or first symptoms of some illness /disease.

Second I wouldn't put stock in anything he has told you. If you would post photos of your birds, we should be able to tell you if they are truly HENS.I would also check them for worms and mites/lice.

Chickens get very stressed from a move, which can put them off laying for a few weeks. I don't know if that excuse is applicable since they sound very much pleased with their new home.

PS I've never heard of Buff Abraham bantams. If he got them from someone else, why did he turn around and sell them? Like a lot of ventures, buyers must beware.I hope things turn out for you.
 
welcome-byc.gif


x2 on Drumstick diva's response.

Inflamed, red eyes are not normal and should be checked out. Any time you have a chicken that shows signs of a health problem, you should remove them from the flock to avoid passing on health problems. Also, a sick or injured girl left with the flock will be picked on, sometimes to death (that's why sick & injured birds are so good at covering up their health problems).

Can you share photos of the birds in question, maybe we can help you figure out what's going on. There's also the emergency/disease forum where you could get help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

Good luck to you.
 
They are Bantam - Buff Brahma.. The guy said he was moving to Hemet and needed to get rid of these chickens
Looking at online pictures, it seems the red around the eye is normal. I asked if they were vaccinated and he said he didn't know if the original owner vaccinated. In researching online, could they be molting? The feathers ontop of the single pictured hen are missing, she's bald..I appreciate the feed back




 
You mentioned seeing feathers everywhere which suggest molting. During molting, hens will quit laying. There's a wonderful article about molting in the Learning Center:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/what-happens-when-chickens-molt

Also, some of the feather loss could be due to them being mounted by the rooster you said was around the place you picked up these girls from. That's why you'll see pictures or hear talk of hens wearing "saddles"...it's to prevent feather damage during mating.

I can't tell you about the redness around their eye area as I've never had this breed. Hope some of that helps.
 

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