New hens and laying

[julieandwade]

We had chickens in the past, and got rid of them a while. Big mistake, I know...
But we opted to start again.
We purchased seven 18 month old laying hens, Golden Comets. Their previous setup was a chicken house, no outside access, with nest boxes around the perimeter of a straw floor. The flock was around 60.
Our set up is a 4x6 coop raised about 3 feet off the ground, dishpan nest boxes within. Roost bar inside, a ramp down to the ground. This is within a fenced area.
So the shock of the move, I know will cause them to reduce or cease laying temporarily. But of the few eggs we have gotten, they were laid on the ground. These chickens also have to be put in their coop at night and placed on the roost bar. We have had them a week and a day. If anyone has any advice on how to rectify any of these issues, please help! Thank you in advance.

 

[Sally PB]

Do you have any fake eggs in the nest boxes? That will show the ladies that that is a safe place to lay. If you don't have any fake eggs, golf balls will probably do the trick.

These chickens also have to be put in their coop at night and placed on the roost bar. We have had them a week and a day. If anyone has any advice on how to rectify any of these issues, please help! Thank you in advance.

Try shutting them in the coop for a few days, if possible. That shows them that "this is home." They will naturally want to roost on the highest thing possible, so be sure the roost bar is higher than the nest boxes.

 

[Iluveggers]

Do you have any fake eggs in the nest boxes? That will show the ladies that that is a safe place to lay. If you don't have any fake eggs, golf balls will probably do the trick.

Try shutting them in the coop for a few days, if possible. That shows them that "this is home." They will naturally want to roost on the highest thing possible, so be sure the roost bar is higher than the nest boxes.

Sometimes they don’t know what to do or where to go in a new environment!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

We purchased seven 18 month old laying hens, Golden Comets.

Good advice given already!

They're just at the age.. if they haven't molted, they may soon.. most don't lay eggs during molt.

Some may have already molted and still be returning to lay. You might be able to tell by feather condition.

Do you happen to know if they were using artificial lighting in their other set up?

 

[julieandwade]

Do you happen to know if they were using artificial lighting in their other set up?

Yes I believe so.

 

[PopoMyers]

Just a thought. Were they production hens before? Their age makes me think that the previous environment was a production farm, and they were selling off their older hens, who would slow way down within a year, or die shortly after 2.5 years. No roosts before explains why they're not using them now. I've had 2 GC hens, which both died of reproductive issues before they turned 3. Hoping your love will help them be normal chickens.

 

[julieandwade]

Just a thought. Were they production hens before? Their age makes me think that the previous environment was a production farm, and they were selling off their older hens, who would slow way down within a year, or die shortly after 2.5 years old. They probably did not have a nesting box to lay in, or roosts. I've had 2 GC hens, which both died of reproductive issues before they turned 3. Hoping your love will help them be normal chickens.

yes. I wanted to get some laying hens so we could begin getting eggs right away.

 

[PopoMyers]

If they had been laying all winter, with artificial lights, the now lessened daylight hours could cause them to take a short normal winter break, like many normal chickens do. Where are you located?

yes. I wanted to get some laying hens so we could begin getting eggs right away.

 

[julieandwade]

Where are you located?

Southern Virginia

 

[julieandwade]

Update:

I fixed our ramp by adding more cleats closer together, and smaller. For the most part, the girls now go in to bed, but there are a couple of stragglers I have to go put on the ramp in the evening. Two days ago we got 7 eggs, so everyone laid! We added a different feed, and started some cracked corn as the ladies were skinny. We still have a rebel that wants to lay on the ground outside, but thankfully the others are using the nest boxes inside. They are also tiring me out with putting them on the higher roost bar. It is within reach, but they're lazy I guess. I placed some logs on the floor so they don't sit in poop. I decided to compromise for my sanity.