New Chickens Not Laying

[ChickenJV12]

Ok, so I got some new chickens about 2 weeks ago, but they are not laying. I know this because 1) I've never seen them in a nesting box and their vents aren't like my other chickens that are laying fine and 2) Their combs and waddles are pink to light red and not dark red like they should be. All of them have finished molting except for a few of them. The seller told me 1.5 years old, so at this age, they are still laying fine. I also know that the days are getting shorter but out of my other 9 chickens that I have laying, I have been getting 3-4 eggs a day from them. What should I do???

 

[AnimalGeek23]

Do you provide calcium?
(Sorry if I didn't catch it)

 

[ChickenJV12]

Do you provide calcium?
(Sorry if I didn't catch it)

I provide them layer feed from TSC 24/7, which I'm pretty sure has some calcium in it

 

[JedJackson]

They'll need more time to settle in. Also, because they are older at 1.5 years, the laying will likely be more seasonal. Meaning you may not get eggs from them until Spring. I think the combs are paler because they just got out of molt, and it can take a while for them to get into condition again. A higher protein feed (18-20%%) could help.

The other possibility is that you were sold hens older than 1.5 years. Chickens usually lay less and less as they age. Point of lay pullets are much more reliable than old timers, and it is easier to see when a seller is being dishonest about age with them.

 

[LlamaGirl4]

They need time to settle in and may not lay until spring as the days are getting shorter. My chickens are still laying as they have additional lighting inside the coop as well as in the run for heat.

 

[JedJackson]

What do you mean about its easy to see about a seller not being honest with age?

I mean it is easier to see that when you are buying point of lay pullets, rather than adult hens. Much more difficult to tell age once they've gotten past the 1 year mark.

 

[ChickenJV12]

I mean it is easier to see that when you are buying point of lay pullets, rather than adult hens. Much more difficult to tell age once they've gotten past the 1 year mark.

Oh ok

 

[lutherpug]

My year old hens took Nov-February off. It can happen. They picked right back up in the springtime. It could be difficult to determine what is going on until it gets warmer. Could be they need time to adjust, could be they're older than advertised, could be just old fashioned winter break.

 

[aart]

and my other 6 are 7 mo

Pullets often lay thru their first winter.

 

[ChickenJV12]

They'll need more time to settle in. Also, because they are older at 1.5 years, the laying will likely be more seasonal. Meaning you may not get eggs from them until Spring. I think the combs are paler because they just got out of molt, and it can take a while for them to get into condition again. A higher protein feed (18-20%%) could help.

The other possibility is that you were sold hens older than 1.5 years. Chickens usually lay less and less as they age. Point of lay pullets are much more reliable than old timers, and it is easier to see when a seller is being dishonest about age with them.

What do you mean about its easy to see about a seller not being honest with age?