Non-layer

[Kilm]

Hi folks,

Took over three chickens from a friend, never had them before so on a steep learning curve.

Someone suggested in another thread doing a separate one for her to see if you experts can identify possible causes of non laying.

She's two. Behaviour wise, absolutely fine as far as I can see. The three of them were raised together, no changes to the setup other than a move to my place, but she wasn't laying before that either.

I feed them primarily Carrs Billington layers pellets and the other two lay fine.

Any thoughts or is it just age?

Fresh poo pic attached too.

 

[Battlepants]

They all seem old enough to be laying (judging by comb/wattle). How recently did they move in with you? I know there's some stress period in moving where chickens may or may not lay. If this was a very recent move, this might be your cause.

 

[Kilm]

They all seem old enough to be laying (judging by comb/wattle). How recently did they move in with you? I know there's some stress period in moving where chickens may or may not lay. If this was a very recent move, this might be your cause.

They came in last week, but the black one hasn't laid for months apparently, so the problem existed before they came to me.

The other two were laying after one day, and they're delicious. Unfortunately I need three eggs for my pancake recipe, so the black one needs to get it's act together!!

 

[aart]

but the black one hasn't laid for months apparently, so the problem existed before they came to me.

And will likely continue...so you can't have pancakes every day

 

[Kilm]

And will likely continue...so you can't have pancakes every day

So what is the ethics on non layers where pancakes are at stake? Do we tolerate? Threaten with violence? Watch a YouTube video on how to turn it into Sunday dinner?

What would be the main driver for stopping? Is it age related? They're living a happy wee life - have a big run of open and leafy, well grown garden and flower beds. I'd have hoped she'd have realised this all came at a cost!

 

[aart]

So what is the ethics on non layers where pancakes are at stake? Do we tolerate? Threaten with violence? Watch a YouTube video on how to turn it into Sunday dinner?

What would be the main driver for stopping? Is it age related? They're living a happy wee life - have a big run of open and leafy, well grown garden and flower beds. I'd have hoped she'd have realised this all came at a cost!

I can't tell if you're kidding or not.
What one does with a nonproductive bird is a personal decision.

Some birds are just not great layers, and some may never lay.
Considering it was a problem before you got her, chance are it's not age but her genetics.
Some birds are just lemons.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you're fine with the prospect of feeding a pet bird that will never contribute, keep her. If not, rehome her with full disclosure, or eat her, and maybe consider adding a couple point of lay pullets or chicks to eventually pick up the load.

Even with 3 active layers you're unlikely to get 3 eggs a day.

 

[Mrs. K]

Personally I have threaten the soup pot - but it really does no good.

Truthfully, she probably is not going to lay. I do like getting eggs, and I would cull her... which means removing her from my flock. Rehome or soup pot or bury her and plant a rose bush.

Or you can add new birds and still keep her if you have the space. SPACE is important, so measure first the coop, because free ranging does not make up for a too small of coop.

Mrs K

 

[Kilm]

Personally I have threaten the soup pot - but it really does no good.

Truthfully, she probably is not going to lay. I do like getting eggs, and I would cull her... which means removing her from my flock. Rehome or soup pot or bury her and plant a rose bush.

Or you can add new birds and still keep her if you have the space. SPACE is important, so measure first the coop, because free ranging does not make up for a too small of coop.

Mrs K

Space isn't an issue, the three of them have around 30m squared of space to play in.

They've been together since they were tiny, is there anything I should be aware of if her pals wake up one day and find her gone? I've been reading up on how to take one from live to the pot, so I'll give it a shot and see how it works out.

I'll look in to how to introduce a new bird. I'm going to get a retired battery one from a place my friend goes to. He's got ten now and they are beautifully feathered (having come to him near bald) and he said after a week or so of not laying, they lay brilliantly now.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I had a hen like this. I kept her has a pet