New hens aren’t laying

[Wvsteph23]

I recently got new 1 year old hens to go with my 5 month old hens. They are all getting along now, but the new hens aren’t laying eggs like I was told they did before they got here. It has been about 2 weeks since they have been here. Should I be concerned that they aren’t laying? They are eating the grower/finisher pellets that my 5 month olds are eating and I’m giving them oyster shells for extra calcium. I need to switch to laying pellets, but just need to finish out my other. Any thoughts?

 

[hkirchn]

Likely some stress with the move and acclimating to the new surroundings.

 

[MarkButcher]

I recently got new 1 year old hens to go with my 5 month old hens. They are all getting along now, but the new hens aren’t laying eggs like I was told they did before they got here. It has been about 2 weeks since they have been here. Should I be concerned that they aren’t laying? They are eating the grower/finisher pellets that my 5 month olds are eating and I’m giving them oyster shells for extra calcium. I need to switch to laying pellets, but just need to finish out my other. Any thoughts?

I think you ought to switch out to laying mash or pellets, and you'll kick start the whole group laying, including you 5 month olds. Your new 1 year olds are probably used to being fed the laying feed, and between that switch in feed, and the new flock and surroundings, I'm not surprised they're off their game. Switch feed, and give it 5 days or so, and your going to have all the eggs you want!

 

[aart]

Should I be concerned that they aren’t laying?

Not really, and...no need to switch feed,
changing to layer feed is not going to magically start eggs coming,
there's more to it than that.
The stress of moving may keep them from laying.
Did you get any eggs the first day you had them?
Also, how old are they in months?
If you are in the northern hemisphere, and the birds were hatched in the spring of 2018, they may be getting ready to molt....you may see feathers shed before you see any eggs.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @Wvsteph23
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Wvsteph23]

I think you ought to switch out to laying mash or pellets, and you'll kick start the whole group laying, including you 5 month olds. Your new 1 year olds are probably used to being fed the laying feed, and between that switch in feed, and the new flock and surroundings, I'm not surprised they're off their game. Switch feed, and give it 5 days or so, and your going to have all the eggs you want!

You are probably right! I’ll go ahead and switch so everyone can be happy. One of my 5 month olds is already laying, so it’s probably time!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

You are probably right! I’ll go ahead and switch so everyone can be happy. One of my 5 month olds is already laying, so it’s probably time!

Just mix your grower pellets with the layer feed!

 

[Wvsteph23]

Not really, and...no need to switch feed,
changing to layer feed is not going to magically start eggs coming,
there's more to it than that.
The stress of moving may keep them from laying.
Did you get any eggs the first day you had them?
Also, how old are they in months?
If you are in the northern hemisphere, and the birds were hatched in the spring of 2018, they may be getting ready to molt....you may see feathers shed before you see any eggs.

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @Wvsteph23
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1852551

I had gotten an egg the second day of having them, but I haven’t been real sure who laid it. I have been getting white eggs from my Leghorn, which was mine from the beginning, but the Cuckoo Moran is suppose to lay brown eggs and I have only gotten 2 brown in 2 weeks. I do t know exactly how old they are. He told me they were about a year old.

 

[aart]

Marans aren't the most prolific layers, especially after their first season.
What other breeds did you get?
You may have to wait it out with
Do you free range these birds?
You could do some butt checks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Wvsteph23]

Marans aren't the most prolific layers, especially after their first season.
What other breeds did you get?
You may have to wait it out with
Do you free range these birds?
You could do some butt checks:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

I have a Brahma, Rhode Island Red, and a White Leghorn. They aren’t free range all the time, but I do let them out at least an hour a day to graze.

 

[aart]

I have a Brahma, Rhode Island Red, and a White Leghorn. They aren’t free range all the time, but I do let them out at least an hour a day to graze.

The light brahmas I had were pretty lazy layers, they sure could eat tho!!