New Chicken Owner...and a little frustrated

[Wolflady2223]

So I am new to chickens. Someone on craigslist gave me their coop and 6 hens that she told me were about 6 months old originally. It turns out now that she says they are closer to 9 months old, but began laying at 6 months. I have a RIR, 2 buff orpingtons, 2 americanas, and a barred rock. I got them about a week ago. They are allowed out of the pen daily to forage and then they go back in their coop at night plus i give them layered chicken pellets/scraps.

The day after we got them I had them out all day and put a few back in during mid day. Shortly thereafter I found 2 eggs in the pen, both a medium brown color. The next day - nothing. The following day 1 brown egg again. Since then there has been nothing. I tried putting a non-heated light in the cage and putting it on a timer for 4am so they have light for about 12 hrs. a day to encourage laying, but still nothing. I live in CT so it is a bit colder but I have heard that first year chickens don't really stop laying, or that the lamp will help with production, and it has to be really cold for them to halt altogether.

I guess I am just wondering if I am doing anything wrong here?? Am I expecting too much from these girls? What else can i do to help?

 

[OneLostHen]

Usually the move itself into a new location is enough to have them stop laying for a few days. That are learning the new schedule and surroundings!
They'll adjust in time!

 

[ggarratt]

Agreed. When we moved, our chickens stopped laying for months (but they have a particularly delicate temperament). You usually get a couple of eggs that were already "in the works" so to say before the move, but then they take awhile to start again. The same thing can happen when they get frightened by a predator.


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[Kazfam]

I agree as well.
Stress...
Establish a routine and they should relax and fall into it after a short time.

 

[donrae]

First off, they're living animals, not egg vending machines

. They often don't do well with change and stress, and just need time to adjust to new things.

My first thought is they're laying, but not in the nest box. They're hiding eggs while they're out free ranging, this is their instinct. Their little bird brains tell them to hide their eggs to secure the next generation, even if the bird never goes broody. Try keeping them confined to the run for a few days and see how many eggs you get. Hens are creatures of habit, so once they get used to laying in the coop, you can usually then let them out again and they'll come back to the same place (nest box) to lay eggs. If you're free ranging and notice a drop in production not otherwise explained--molting, broodiness, etc--always confine them for a few days and see what you get then. I've had birds that would never, ever lay in a nest box if they were ranging, and I had to go on egg hunts pretty much daily

 

[chynasparks]

I agree. Your new flock needs an adjustment period. Leave them in for a few days. Put a fake egg or golf ball in the nests. After that they should know where home is. I have 2 Orpington hens 1 RIR hen and a RIR roo. My roo was Tillie until she became Bill. 2 are laying. And sometimes one or both skip a day. I supervise free range so I know they aren't laying elsewhere. I'm getting plenty of eggs for my hubby and myself. I hope you and your flock make the adjustments. I get pleasure out of watching them do their chicken thing. I have my cleaning and feeding all worked out to where I'm not a slave to the coop. And I am pleased that hubby is enjoying them and helps with maintenance. Give them time, they'll come around.

 

[ECBW]

Lots of sound advise. I would add that when the chickens first arrive at a new home, it is a good idea to keep them "cooped" in for a few days. This is so they get to calm down, get to know the coop as their new home and safe house, and get to know where to lay their eggs.

This is not plug and play. Give it time.

 

[LauraCatherwood]

I completely understand your frustration. I am totally new to this as well. We just got ours last Friday (2 RIR and 2 Barred Rocks) We haven't gotten any eggs at all yet, but it was a rather traumatic move for them. Instead of focusing on when I'll start getting eggs, I'm trying to focus on getting to know my girls and helping them to feel safe and secure. The rest will eventually fall into place. Still, it's hard to be patient sometimes

 

[ronnie 25]

Me too i hpe i figure it all out.

 

[CMP1999]

i say hit them with 14 to 15 hours of light and give a layer feed i raise 100 to 200 chickens a year and have done a lot of reaserch shut off all light sorces when you put your light in they will lay