Not laying?

[BroccoliBoo]

I have a few hens that won't lay. they are over a year old and all the other hens in the coop are laying fine. one of these hens had pneumonia when I first got her, but she pulled through strong and seems unharmed. they are technically wild hens, but they were raised in a pen since they were hatched. if anyone has any ideas, I am more than willing to listen and try your suggestions.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Many hens slow down at this time of year due to the shorter days.

 

[aart]

I have a few hens that won't lay. they are over a year old and all the other hens in the coop are laying fine. one of these hens had pneumonia when I first got her, but she pulled through strong and seems unharmed. they are technically wild hens, but they were raised in a pen since they were hatched. if anyone has any ideas, I am more than willing to listen and try your suggestions.

Wild? Where did you get them and at what age?
Are you positive they are not laying?
Here's how to check:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/
Do you free range?

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @BroccoliBoo
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[BroccoliBoo]

Their mama hen wandered into my yard And I watched them grow for 3 months until mama stopped showing up, then I put them in a newly built pen. It has been little over a year and 1 month since then. One hen from this batch has been laying, and they are laying small white eggs, while my RSL hens lay a light brown. I do free range my chickens. But they don't leave the yard. Ill get back to you once I get them checked for laying, thanks for the instructions by the way.

 

[aart]

I do free range my chickens. But they don't leave the yard. Ill get back to you once I get them checked for laying, thanks for the instructions by the way.

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/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[BroccoliBoo]

That is a good idea, I Think already do something like that. I get home at 3 P.M everyday and let them out when I get home, at around 7 or 8, they all go back to the coop to sleep and I close the coop at 8:30. Is that enough time for them to promote laying?

 

[aart]

Is that enough time for them to promote laying?

It's not about promoting laying, it's about making the ones who are laying learn to use the coop nests instead of laying out in range area.
I would think that being confined until 3pm would be long enough.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

How did a feral hen have a clutch of three pullets? Odds are one is a cockerel. If two are cockerels then the mystery of not laying is solved.

 

[BroccoliBoo]

Thank you! I'll leave a follow up in a month or so, when I can be certain If she is laying or not.

 

[BroccoliBoo]

How did a feral hen have a clutch of three pullets? Odds are one is a cockerel. If two are cockerels then the mystery of not laying is solved.

Actually, this particular hen was Known for hatching around 10, I had 12 of her chicks, but the neighbor's dog attacked and only the 3 hens survived, along with my 10 RSL hens.