No eggs - we are about to give up

[LADYKK]

Here are the details:
14 hens - all appear healthy - have been wormed - are a good laying age - are RIR's, BR's, and EE's.
currently have laying mash 24/7 as well as grit and oyster shells and fresh water
are given treats of BOSS, scratch feed, and occasional handful of cat food
Have a nice large coop - has artificial lighting with about 14 hours light per day - have a super large kenneled in area that allows them to
get out and pick for bugs, etc..
We are lucky if we get one egg per day. Our family has suggested we feed them cracked corn only during the winter since they are not
laying anyway. I really don't like the thoughts - want to keep them healthy. Money is tight and we can't keep feeding them like we are now if we still have to go buy eggs at the grocery. Please advise.
Thanks so much.

 

[pontoosuc]

oh boy. tough. so are these pullets? or older hens?
have they laid regularly before?

 

[turtlebird]

are they hiding their eggs? Are they molting? Do you have egg-eaters? How old are they?

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
How old is "a good laying age"?
Do you have any egg eaters like snakes getting in? How predator proof is the coop and run?
Have you checked VERY carefully to see that they aren't laying somewhere in a hidden spot? They're sneaky that way...you have to look up high as well as down.

 

[AllAlaskan]

just a thought too, are they getting enuph reg white/day light? If you are getting less then 12-14 hours you may want to get a white light and put it on a timer to come on earlier in the morning so they are getting a full 12-14 (some people tell me 12 some say 14). I have been told ALOT that if you dont have a full 12-14 hours of white/day light that they will slow down or stop laying al together, so im told but im a newbie too lol.

 

[justmeandtheflock]

Where did you get them? How long have you had them? How old are they? I had one bird that would fly up into the loft to lay her eggs. She would squeeze through the tiniest space to get up there. Can they get under the coop to lay? Are you sure they are all hens?

 

[RIBill]

It sounds like you are doing fine in the lighting and living requirements. You don't specifically say their age. A good laying age can be anywhere between 18 weeks and a year depending on breed and time of hatch. If they are still under 30 weeks, I would say you should just be patient. If they are older their may be a management issue. Diet and stress would be the things I would look at. I would cut back on anything other than laying feed and the very rare treat. Make sure it is a quality commercial feed. I would make sure they aren't being stalked by the neihborhood strays or some other predators.

If it isn't stress or diet, the next possibilities are egg eating and hidden nests. Don't know if the latter is possible in your situation. Hopefully it isn't egg eating. The only cure for that is the stock pot.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Give them some crushed red pepper in their feed for several days. I don't know how, but it worked for mine.

 

[jarodw45]

Quote:
My grandfather told me that when I was a boy and I thought he was a loon! Good to know he isnt crazy

!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have read several posts about how EEs take longer to start laying for some people. I am waiting for mine to start laying. One thing you can do is put a store-bought egg in a nest and see if anyone eats it or takes it away.

Do you have fake eggs or golf balls in the nests? That is a good incentive for them to lay in the correct place.