No laying

[nuthatched]

Can I ask how much feed you throw yours each day? I have ten that are laying age. They eat whatever they want out side as well as the feed which I don't feed but once a day

I have a single gravity fed feeder in the coop, it's chest high for them so they can't kick out the feed and waste it. I also have a few mouse traps to make sure I'm not feeding anything but them. They eat all they want.
For 11 laying hens, I go through a little less than 3lbs of feed a day.
Chicken's need a lot of protein, the 16% minimum was designed for specifically leghorns, who excel at feed conversion) 60 years ago, but today's leghorn and dual purpose breeds need more protein. I dare say 18% is the unofficial minimum now.

 

[Marcy74]

I have a single gravity fed feeder in the coop, it's chest high for them so they can't kick out the feed and waste it. I also have a few mouse traps to make sure I'm not feeding anything but them. They eat all they want.
For 11 laying hens, I go through a little less than 3lbs of feed a day.
Chicken's need a lot of protein, the 16% minimum was designed for specifically leghorns, who excel at feed conversion) 60 years ago, but today's leghorn and dual purpose breeds need more protein. I dare say 18% is the unofficial minimum now.

I used to give them all they want but started getting rats. I usually just throw a couple cups of fed to mine each day now which may not be enough for all the hens

 

[Marcy74]

I switched to a new feed a couple days ago and just got 4 eggs. I hope this continues

 

[Sally PB]

They are all free range

Have you looked for any hidden nests? They might be laying elsewhere outside.

 

[Marcy74]

Have you looked for any hidden nests? They might be laying elsewhere outside.

I thought they were but have not found any. When I had Isa Browns sometimes they laid in the woods but I have not found any in the past year

 

[nuthatched]

I used to give them all they want but started getting rats. I usually just throw a couple cups of fed to mine each day now which may not be enough for all the hens

It isn't enough, unfortunately. Buy/build a no waste feeder and lock it up at night. Chickens do better at free feeding. Egg laying is a secondary concern, living comes first.

 

[Marcy74]

It isn't enough, unfortunately. Buy/build a no waste feeder and lock it up at night. Chickens do better at free feeding. Egg laying is a secondary concern, living comes first.

I want to do that I have a piggy that lives with the chickens. I'll have to think of a way to keep him out of the feeder

 

[nuthatched]

I want to do that I have a piggy that lives with the chickens. I'll have to think of a way to keep him out of the feeder

Can you make a high platform or a shelf with a ramp for the feeder the be on?

 

[Suzz]

I haven’t had eggs all winter I have a mix of young and old chicken ladies but a couple of them squatted for me this morning so it looks like they think winter is winding down finally! I’ll be happy to get some eggs again

 

[LJ33]

Any eggs yet. Im going on 6 months with no eggs on my 2 year olds. Many around me as well who used dumor feed have had no eggs at all from entire flocks

I got my first egg Jan 21. Have about 4 dozen since.