Not laying and laying

[cluckycrocheter]

I inherited all my friends chickens. Some are around a year old, some are 25 weeks old and mine are are 20 weeks old and I am getting 2-7 eggs a day. I have 38 total 8 are definitely roosters and I have 3-4 more that I still don't know if they are boys or girls. They eat 7 grain, cracked corn, and laying pellets, fruits and veggies and of course bugs and grass. They have oyster shells mixed with their egg shells that they get a free will. Their water is changed 3 times a day and they have an entire acre, a hen house and 14 nests. I walk the yard every day and have not found any eggs anywhere...

 

[aart]

How long have you had your friends chickens?
Did you lock them in the coop for a few days to 'home' them to the coop?
Is your coop large and well ventilated enough to accommodate 38 chickens?


Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 2-3 days can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it.

 

[tdepointe]

I agree with aart on the advice and questions.

 

[cluckycrocheter]

I've had them for almost 2 months. I did "rehome" them for 4 days when we first got them. My coop is large, well ventilated, they get locked in at night and let out about an hour after the sun rises. They go in at dark. Usually in around 8:30p.m. and out between 6:30 and 7a.m. They get fed at 8-8:30a.m. and 5-6p.m.

 

[shortgrass]

Do you have a run? I have free rangers and layers, and sometimes if the rangers "fly the coop" too early, they will go lay in the duck hut or under the camper... A run might help contain them better so they don't wander too far from the nesting boxes... They can bury the eggs, making them almost impossible to find

Also, what is your location? (It might be in your sig, I'm on a phone so I can't see for sure) .. Winter is approaching fast, we've lost 3 hours of daylight already here in CO. It could be a seasonal change/adjustment... Or heat, if its still hot where you are...

The feed sounds like its right on the money, no problem there; something environmental, I would say.

 

[shortgrass]

Anyone ever lace feed with alcohol to help your girls "relax" before preparing them for the table? I gave 12 5 month old austrolorps a pint of 80 proof rum in 2 cups of feed and they thought they were having a social. Did not slow them down a bit. Pound for pound that is like this 205 lbs. Soo do farmer guzzling 2 1/2 pints. Never have but I know That would but me on my behonkus.

No. I personally would NEVER give poison to my birds

Ethyl alcohol is POISON. Literally, for real. Read and tell us if you really want to do this to your birds.
http://www.britannica.com/science/ethyl-alcohol

Oh and BTW, DONT feed those eggs to anyone on antibuse, or an alcoholic... That would be disastrous

 

[aart]

Quote: They are talking about using alcohol before butchering......posted in 10 different threads.....must be imbibing themselves.

 

[shortgrass]

They are talking about using alcohol before butchering......posted in 10 different threads.....must be imbibing themselves.

Wow... Just,..wow!

I don't know whether to "lol" , or go book a flight to a new planet...

I suppose the chickens will already be tenderized when they die from alcohol poisoning...

Never a dull moment here

 

[aart]

Quote: When I see an illogical post like that one, I often investigate a bit before deciding whether to respond or not.

 

[shortgrass]

When I see an illogical post like that one, I often investigate a bit before deciding whether to respond or not.

Your research was well warranted lol I was concerned for some drunk chickens lol

Never thought...Saturday night...