@UrbanRoots It's OK to just respond. But if you want someone to know you mean them or get their attention you can quote them like you did or you can also put the @ symbol in front of their name. I have mine set up so it notifies me by email when someone does either.
In your first post it said her chicks were 20 weeks. That is closer to 5 months probably than 6. When chickens are still young people usually go by weeks because it gives a more accurate account and things can change so much from week to week. So 6 1/2 months is like 26 weeks. Do you guys have the same breeds as well? What breeds are we talking about not laying yet? Silkies won't lay until 8 months or so. What is the protein and calcium levels in her feed? Where do her older chickens lay? And do you know when she is planning to integrate them? That could be another stressor that could delay laying.
Could even disrupt current layers.
I would integrate them ASAP, if they have been able to see each other through the fence for a while already. Thankfully, even though it seems frustrating to us... things will work themselves out and before long this will all be a memory.
With 48 chickens I see a lot more things happen than when I had only 3. Do her older ones lay at a regular location and sing the egg song? The younger ones will learn from them. My guess is, they just aren't ready yet.
MANY of us get our chickens before we have our coops completed.
Depending on breed and location, they may not start laying this late in the year.
Unfortunately, when she moves them they may stop laying for a period of time because chickens are creatures of habit and any change can be stressful. I don't think a coop is actually a "more natural" setting. In nature they roost in trees with no rain cover. The coop is more for us.
We like to have our flocks dry and safe.
Yes, it will be very cool if I get some random chicks running around. Especially if I don't have to be the one to brood them.
