No eggs?

[black_cat]

I got my hens a week ago from a rental (read all about that here) and we still have not gotten eggs. We got one a few days after, but none since. I have 4 hens, 3 red sexlinks and 1 leghorn. The egg that I got came from a sexlink. They are eating their food and water, they have access to grit and oyster shell, and eat it, they have no major pecking order issues, they have space and bedding to nest in, but still no eggs. I tried putting a nest box in, moving it, and taking it out. I currently have one fake egg in the corner of the coop. The hens aren't scared of me anymore (they used to be TERRIFIED, now when I open the door I have to actually nudge them away instead of them just being scared). The only thing I can think of that's wrong with what's happening is that they don't have enough space. Really not enough at all. I have no control of this factor, however. A prefab run is coming on Thursday to expand their space. All of their poop looks normal, and there is no feather pulling or lethargy happening. What could be going on? They are in the shade with a covered run.

 

[PioneerChicks]

They may take a month or more to get used to their new surroundings enough to lay eggs. How old are they? That can matter too. New and old layers are often inconsistent. Maybe they could be hiding eggs? Overall, you are doing everything right, you just need to be patient.

 

[black_cat]

They may take up to a month to get used to their new surroundings enough to lay eggs. How old are they? That can matter too. New and old layers are often inconsistent. Maybe they could be hiding eggs? Overall, you are doing everything right, you just need to be patient.

I don't know how old they are, I will ask the people we got them from. There's nowhere that they could hide them in the run, and earlier I searched through all the bedding in the coop (not pleasant XD) and found no eggs besides my decoy (which always gets me excited then I pick it up and am sad XD) I figured that if they were eating eggs, I would see some white or yolk or shell bits or more, and I haven't seen any of that.

 

[PioneerChicks]

I don't know how old they are, I will ask the people we got them from. There's nowhere that they could hide them in the run, and earlier I searched through all the bedding in the coop (not pleasant XD) and found no eggs besides my decoy (which always gets me excited then I pick it up and am sad XD) I figured that if they were eating eggs, I would see some white or yolk or shell bits or more, and I haven't seen any of that.

Hmm, well, they might be too young, but I think that they will need more time to adjust. When I get new adult chickens it normally takes them 1-2 months to start laying, but they take a little longer because they are also getting used to my first flock.

Wishing you luck!

 

[black_cat]

Hmm, well, they might be too young, but I think that they will need more time to adjust. When I get new adult chickens it normally takes them 1-2 months to start laying, but they take a little longer because they are also getting used to my first flock.

Wishing you luck!

Ok, thanks! I'd be surprised if they were too young, as they seem to be the size of my friend's hens. I hope that they will start laying soon, but they can take their time! The rental that we're doing (not my choice) is only 3 months, but hopefully we'll keep the hens after.

 

[black_cat]

I got in contact with the rental people and they say that the hens are all 1 year old. They also said that heat could be stopping them laying-I could set up a little fan outside the run, blowing in? Would that help? I could also get one of the little foam ones to hook up inside the coop so that it won't hurt them because of foam blades.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I got in contact with the rental people and they say that the hens are all 1 year old. They also said that heat could be stopping them laying-I could set up a little fan outside the run, blowing in? Would that help? I could also get one of the little foam ones to hook up inside the coop so that it won't hurt them because of foam blades.

That can help! Also make sure there are multiple sources of water available. My gals often slow laying in the heat. I've never heard of a chicken rental program. Very interesting!

 

[black_cat]

That can help! Also make sure there are multiple sources of water available. My gals often slow laying in the heat. I've never heard of a chicken rental program. Very interesting!

Trust me, you don't want a chicken rental program, at least not the one I got. I'll also try putting some ice in the water. I'll try to get multiple water sources going tomorrow, there is an extension for the *tiny* rental run coming. The coop is in the shade, and the run has a roof. Maybe I'll try putting a sheet over the run instead of the roof for a bit, for shade but more ventilation?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Trust me, you don't want a chicken rental program, at least not the one I got. I'll also try putting some ice in the water. I'll try to get multiple water sources going tomorrow, there is an extension for the *tiny* rental run coming. The coop is in the shade, and the run has a roof. Maybe I'll try putting a sheet over the run instead of the roof for a bit, for shade but more ventilation?

It sounds like a good idea in theory. I've never tried it, but it works for plants when providing shade!

 

[black_cat]

It sounds like a good idea in theory. I've never tried it, but it works for plants when providing shade!

Ok! I'll try it out this afternoon, provided that there's no rain coming.