Not yet laying, behavior concerns.

[ChickenCanoe]

Wow. This is a lot of info. Thank you so much for your replies.
...

None of them are squatting. When they see me they just come running for treats. I do feed them all my kitchen scraps so probably over doing it on the treats. Normally just one large paper plate full daily for them all to share.

....

Personally, I don't put much credibility in squatting as a sign of imminent laying. Some birds squat, some don't - especially aloof and skittish birds. The trait is a desire to breed, not necessarily that eggs will be forthcoming any time soon. Hens in the presence of a rooster don't squat.


This may help for chicken related definitions.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-dictionary-for-dummies.184/page-2#post-1638

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Definitely block off nests until the combs are red. With the nests block and roosts higher they will be trained to use roosts by the time combs redden and they are point of lay. Once trained to roost you won't have problem of dirty nests when opened later for them to use.

In another month or so you could add supplemental lighting to promote egg laying. They'll be of laying age then so adding light to extend days to 12 hours would kick them into it. Keep the lighting until actual daylight is 12 hours long and extending.

I've a variety that takes who knows how long to come into lay? Stopped using supplemental lighting years ago and since working solely with this one variety don't get eggs from pullets until spring even though they were hatched April/May. This year I'll set up lighting mid Feb to aid in an earlier start of breeding season. Hopefully if I can get a jump on hatching they'll come into lay before the days shorten this coming fall. If that happens they'll lay all winter without additional light. Albeit not as well.

 

[Themotherofchickens]

Hello! I wanted to follow up that I did have one hen squat right in front of me when I went out there this morning. I petted her for a few minutes and then she just kept going after the carrots I brought out. I am still highly concerned about my coop and the cold weather. I am actually going home on my "lunch break" to check on them and make sure the water hasn't froze. Apparently even with my water heater bucket the spickets are freezing. Its -3 today. Only 2 more days until my new coop is at the house and the set up in there is much better. In my current coop the roosting bars are almost flush with the nesting boxes. It was a coop from tractor supply, one I will never recommend for anyone that lives anywhere with inclement weather.
Thanks for your input and guidance. I love these chickens and I am eager for them to thrive. I don't really care about the eggs--I just know that happy chickens lay eggs and I am looking for indicators that they are happy.

 

[Welshies]

Feeding lay feed to non-laying birds can delay development... so be patient.

 

[gocgo]

The only thing I would add to the previous replies is that a young hen in the winter should grow/mature a bit slower than a young hen born in the spring. They need their energy not only to grow, but to stay warm. No worries on no eggs. As far as their behavior, they come down to eat and drink and then go back to the comfort of their bed. What would you do with no heat? Probably eat and drink when necessary and then go snuggle up in bed! No worries on behavior. They sound like smart chickens.

 

[aart]

I am still highly concerned about my coop and the cold weather. I am actually going home on my "lunch break" to check on them and make sure the water hasn't froze.

Post some pics of your coop and we can help spot any issues.
Would be good if you had a water heater out there.
You can just cover the nests around roost time, I cover an hour before roost time, then uncover when I lock up after dark.

Ovulation is the same in birds as in mammals (think humans)

Umm, I don't think so.
Mature chickens ovulate daily, mammals much different(thank goodness!!)...
...but same in that they won't release an ova until hormones 'tell' them too.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Post some pics of your coop and we can help spot any issues.
Would be good if you had a water heater out there.
You can just cover the nests around roost time, I cover an hour before roost time, then uncover when I lock up after dark.

Umm, I don't think so.
Mature chickens ovulate daily, mammals much different(thank goodness!!)...
...but same in that they won't release an ova until hormones 'tell' them too.

You didn't really think I was implying that all species ovulate on the same schedule did you?
I meant that, if healthy and mature, they can't help but ovulate on a rate correct for the species.

 

[aart]

You didn't really think I was implying that all species ovulate on the same schedule did you?
I meant that, if healthy and mature, they can't help but ovulate on a rate correct for the species.

I wouldn't think so, no....but thought that could be easily inferred, so I expanded.
No offense meant.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

None taken. I see your point though.

 

[PirateGirl]

You are welcome to join us in publicly shaming our dud chickens and voicing your concerns here...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-contest-for-the-duds.1206150/page-23#post-19378073

There are many of us with pullets older than yours that have not yet laid and egg, and the good news is that it's probably not due to health, but just a maturity issue and a daylight issue. Also, if you skip to the end of the thread, several of us have gotten our first eggs from some of our girls in the last 2 weeks after the winter solstice!