None of my chickens are laying

[PH0E]

I got my chickens at a few days old in the middle of april. I have 3 silver laced wyandottes and 3 Americanas. They should be about 21 weeks. We are giving them food which was recommended by an experienced chicken owner. Friends of ours got chickens 1 month after us and theirs are laying. Any suggestions or knowledge you all can.share would be appreciated.

 

[SqueakyRoseShalom]

Welcome to the club. Sorry. Mine are at 24 weeks and still not laying. So far, the advice that I've received is to feed the girls more protein. So I am! I hope it works for you. In the meantime, I am becoming more virtuous. Patience isn't the worst thing in the world, even when you check the nesting boxes every day. At least I'm not checking it twice a day like I was back at 19 weeks. Hang in there!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Chickens start laying between 18 - 24 weeks. Your should be laying any day now......
Do you free range? There may be hidden nests with eggs.
Put fake eggs or golf balls in your nesting boxes to teach your girls where to lay. Waiting is the worst part!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I got my chickens at a few days old in the middle of april. I have 3 silver laced wyandottes and 3 Americanas. They should be about 21 weeks. We are giving them food which was recommended by an experienced chicken owner. Friends of ours got chickens 1 month after us and theirs are laying. Any suggestions or knowledge you all can.share would be appreciated.

Hi, welcome to BYC!

21 weeks is still well within range... and as light diminishes could even take longer.

Please do tell... what this experienced chicken owner told you to feed? Some people who "have been doing it that way forever and never had a problem"... could still be doing it the wrong way and their version of a problem might be much different than mine.. as they may simply not notice, not care, or not be informed correctly.. while I notice EVERYTHING. Getting second opinions is always a good idea, as I have been told inaccurate information even by people who were thought to be trusted advisers.

Any treats or supplements given on a regular basis?

Most my Feb born chicks lay in July. That would put yours getting pretty close. All are individual though, and as stated... age can vary drastically even in the same breed. My BR started at 20, 24, and 28 week, 2 months difference! Had some EE lay at 18 weeks... when hatched earlier in the year... it is also light dependent so what time they get let out or go up may have an impact in addition to the general maturity.

Have you placed fake eggs in the nest? This really helps with my EE who wanna hide their eggs if they think they disappear everyday due to predator. It helps show them this is a safe place that other gals lay. And can also help deter any curiosity peck that might break a real for a happy accidental reward inside.

My Wyandottes laid late for me... I don't keep them anymore. Many factors go into laying.. breed, daylight, feed, and genetics are the main ones I can think of.

Many ladies will become real vocal, kinda squawking. Some even practice the egg song or sing it when they get startled as they close to laying. Some will squat if you quickly put your hand over them. And their combs become a bit redder. Some of these signs can take place up to a month before an actual egg. Inspecting boxes, and pacing in and out, sometimes even practice sitting... usually happens about the same week you will see an egg.

Luckily though... they are coming soon!

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Sometimes pullets don’t lay until they are 26-30 weeks old or later! I have five pullets (all 20-22 weeks old) and only one is laying. Hang in there, be patient.

 

[snow5164]

It is pretty much layer feed but ingredients are sold in different bags and it cuts our feeble bill in half.
e.

This is not a good idea, making “ layer feed” is not possible with much weighing and very specific ingredients, saving money on feed now can cost you egg loss and the hens health later.

If you share what you’re feeding maybe then others can tell you what to add to make it healthy for them

And yes , it’s a little early for them

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Switching to a layer feed before all are laying will slow down them maturing. You basically cut their protein. Put them back on a grower. I don't understand everyone being in a hurry to feed a layer ration, especially to still growing birds. All you need to do is put out a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs. Layer isn't necessary, it's just another feed choice.

 

[aart]

It is pretty much layer feed but ingredients are sold in different bags and it cuts our feeble bill in half.

What exactly are the ingredients and percentages of protein and calcium in the two bags.
There should be nutrition tags sewn into the bottom of the bags, if you are in the US.
Pics of your labels would certainly help.

BTW...Welcome to BYC!
I too am waiting for 21wo pullets to lay, it's frustrating for sure!
Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[aart]

I crush up egg shells for the calcium. Read in a book that that works as well as oyster shells and it recycles and saves money. Give them spinach and wheatgrass as a treat and apples. They love apples. Was going to look into bean sprouts also. As for the food...we have a large tin garage can we use to mix the food in so we dont have any bags for labels. Didnt want nice getting into the food bags.

I transfer my feed into metal cans too, but always save the labels, they tear off easily.
Egg shell does not work as well as oyster shell.
Egg shell breaks down very quickly whereas OS stays in the gizzard for a good long time. OS is cheap, $10 for a 50# bag that lasts me all year.
Spinach can inhibit the uptake of calcium.
Lower/unbalanced nutrition (protein and vitamins/minerals/amino acids) may well be why your birds are not laying yet.

Friends of ours got chickens 1 month after us and theirs are laying.

Curious....are your friends feeding the exact same diet?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

As @aart said eggshells break down quickly, within a few hours, oyster shells stay in the system much long so there's calcium available to a hen 24 hours a day. Which is important at night when many hens are making the shell on an egg. Without oyster shells, hens will pull the calcium out of their bones. Oyster shells are cheap, and a necessary part of a hens diet.