NY chicken lover!!!!

[PiperJane]

We have two ages - 22 weeks and 20 weeks and none are laying. We're trying not to freak out yet but had hoped we'd have eggs by now. We are giving them layer feed and have an "oyster shell station" lol. We started the extra light this week, it comes on a little after 4 am and their outside door gets opened around 630 am for the day.

 

[NNYchick]

We have two ages - 22 weeks and 20 weeks and none are laying. We're trying not to freak out yet but had hoped we'd have eggs by now. We are giving them layer feed and have an "oyster shell station" lol. We started the extra light this week, it comes on a little after 4 am and their outside door gets opened around 630 am for the day.

What breed are your pullets? Some breeds lay later than others. How much protein in your layer feed, sometimes layer feed is low in protein. You open the door at 630 am, do they free range all day? They may have a hidden nest somewhere outside of the coop. Last thing to consider is have you wormed? I have heard over load of worms can decrease laying but not sure how this would effect pullets.

 

[PiperJane]

We've got australorps, orpingtons and a couple rhode island reds. I've been wondering if they have a hidden nest - they free range from about 4pm until they go in at dark. We can pretty much see all the spots they hang out and there's nothing there. Unless they're also eating them. We're feeding the purina layer - I looked it up - 16%. We haven't wormed, haven't seen any signs of worms but it's certainly something we'd consider. I think I read on the Chicken Chick's blog that we could buy wormer on amazon? Should we do it without knowing for sure? I don't want to hurt them, they seem super healthy and happy. I can provide a pic if wanted....

 

[boskelli1571]

We've got australorps, orpingtons and a couple rhode island reds. I've been wondering if they have a hidden nest - they free range from about 4pm until they go in at dark. We can pretty much see all the spots they hang out and there's nothing there. Unless they're also eating them. We're feeding the purina layer - I looked it up - 16%. We haven't wormed, haven't seen any signs of worms but it's certainly something we'd consider. I think I read on the Chicken Chick's blog that we could buy wormer on amazon? Should we do it without knowing for sure? I don't want to hurt them, they seem super healthy and happy. I can provide a pic if wanted....

Australorps & RIRs should be laying very soon, don't hold your breath for the Orps - they can take up to 28 weeks!
You will be surprised where they will park a nest - if you do find one, I would suggest 'cooping' them for a week or so with some fake eggs in the boxes to give them the idea...
If they look healthy and these are the first chickens on the land, I would not be overly concerned with worming them unless they look tatty and tired.
You could try a little extra protein by way of a beakful of black oil sunflower (BOSS) seed every night until they start producing, sit tight they will lay eventually

 

[PiperJane]

Thanks! They definitely look very healthy and happy, yes the first chickens here. I looked around today for eggs and didn't find anything. One of our reds has become extremely vocal the past 2 weeks, I'm hoping that's a sign. We have golf balls in the nesting boxes but so far no luck. Bummed that the orp's may take that long....ugh! But, I venture to guess once they all start we'll be complaining about too many eggs, lol! They're probably all mad at me because I told them if they don't start earning their keep I'll find other ways, ha ha! They're lucky I'm attached to them!

 

[Gramma Chick]

Thanks! They definitely look very healthy and happy, yes the first chickens here. , ha ha! They're lucky I'm attached to them!

5 months may be to early ..for them to lay ..you want the egg machine to be fully grown before they start laying . I dont feed them layer until they lay ...if they are still growing they need the extra protein to build bones muscles , etc . I think my youngens are on 20 %. Look for them to start squating when you get near them ..they will soon start laying after that

 

[boskelli1571]

Thanks! They definitely look very healthy and happy, yes the first chickens here. I looked around today for eggs and didn't find anything. One of our reds has become extremely vocal the past 2 weeks, I'm hoping that's a sign. We have golf balls in the nesting boxes but so far no luck. Bummed that the orp's may take that long....ugh! But, I venture to guess once they all start we'll be complaining about too many eggs, lol! They're probably all mad at me because I told them if they don't start earning their keep I'll find other ways, ha ha! They're lucky I'm attached to them!

They will lay for you, if they are starting to get chatty and the comb and wattles are reddening nicely, any day now
Orpingtons take their time - what type of Orp did you get? I once was given an Orp - they didn't tell me she was a lavender, which are rotten layers....she's still around scarfing up food and laying invisible eggs several years later

 

[PiperJane]

Thanks both of you - I will let nature take it's course and be patient. We have buff orp's (they're my favorite out of the bunch). I want a lavender but now you're making me think twice, ha ha. There are a couple chatterers so maybe in the next week or so they will surprise us. Should things go well we want to add a delaware or two and had planned on a lavender orp (maybe not now!) in the spring.

 

[Kat2141]

Hi all, I just got looking in this forum. Wow! Lots of people from NY. I'm from Windsor, NY. I have 4 hens and 11 3-month olds… I think 5 cockerels and 7 pullets that the hens hatched out from fertilized eggs we bought from a small farm. Our hens are red sex link and all of the chicks are black, barred or copper/black.

 

[boskelli1571]

Thanks both of you - I will let nature take it's course and be patient. We have buff orp's (they're my favorite out of the bunch). I want a lavender but now you're making me think twice, ha ha. There are a couple chatterers so maybe in the next week or so they will surprise us. Should things go well we want to add a delaware or two and had planned on a lavender orp (maybe not now!) in the spring.

Love Delawares! Good layers, friendly - much better than lav. orps...')