no eggs, now what?

[got peeps?]

Seems like my new spring chickens may never lay (they should be laying by now right? maybe they are only 16weeks or so)..So many things may be the culprit. do I just wait and see or should I be doing something? these are the suspected issues: #1) Seriously hot! steadily over 100 but quite cool at night, 2) introduced babies chicks at maybe 8 weeks to established group of 4 chickens and the older ones are awful, still pick on the little ones..did my best to intervene but new ones still won't roost in coop (would have thought they would just lay in the yard under the trees where they hang out).... 3) I do have a young lab that likes to get a rise out of the chickens by lunging at the fence to the coop now and again....are they just not comfortable and if so, now what?

 

[DTchickens]

Seems like my new spring chickens may never lay (they should be laying by now right? maybe they are only 16weeks or so)..So many things may be the culprit. do I just wait and see or should I be doing something? these are the suspected issues: #1) Seriously hot! steadily over 100 but quite cool at night, 2) introduced babies chicks at maybe 8 weeks to established group of 4 chickens and the older ones are awful, still pick on the little ones..did my best to intervene but new ones still won't roost in coop (would have thought they would just lay in the yard under the trees where they hang out).... 3) I do have a young lab that likes to get a rise out of the chickens by lunging at the fence to the coop now and again....are they just not comfortable and if so, now what?

You're biggest issue to me sounds like just age; they're 16 weeks (more simple terms, four months). Most breeds are not even thinking of reproducing at that age but have a minimum of about 5-6 months (many going onwards of 7-8 months). The breeds you ordered will play a big role, my Leghorns for instance may lay this fall or winter since they are known to be pretty much the best layers around; they have to lay in the winter/fall to achieve the 350 or so eggs a year people have always claimed they lay (many say they never skip a day). They right now at 5 months are not even considering laying eggs, the cockerels aren't even crowing yet.

Breeds that are say, seasonal layers, like most ornamental type fowl will not begin laying until probably spring unless you put lights on them and then you may get some eggs this winter. The dog could arguably be a issue, but I haven't found something like that to stress them out bad enough that they won't lay. The biggest issue with my adult birds right now is just the heat (97-100's commonly with a heat index some days of 110-115) and many are coming into the molt now which most of the times will halt egg production. Just wait it out and you'll have eggs before you know it, I know it can sometimes be difficult to wait but there isn't much you can do other than provide quality care and patience

.

God bless,
Daniel.

 

[hangartnerchix]

I think your girls just aren't ready yet. They are still pretty young. Mine are at 17 weeks, and I don't think they're too close. I'm definitely seeing combs and wattles that are getting more red, and also when I reached down to pet one of my girls yesterday, she did a weird little side to side dance and then squated down! So exciting! But I think it will be awhile until an egg appears. Just be patient! They are all individuals!

Are you noticing any reddening of the combs/wattles?

 

[got peeps?]

Thank You!

 

[theknittingmom]

If they are only 16 weks then it will still be a while before they start laying for you. The best way to know when they will lay is to look at their combs and wattles they will turn a bright red) as well as the sqwatting, but even that is not a sure fire way of telling. Like others have said some do not start laying until 7 months plus. So far my girl golden comets) started around 5 to 5.5 months old. Good luck, the wait is worth it.

 

[galanie]

All of the above. But I'd not let the lab do that. It can upset them enough that they won't lay.