Ok. Just about ready to strangle some chickens

[FF]

Quote:
Should have been more specific. I have 1 that I meant to say was with eggs in it to encourage them to lay. I have a total of 10 boxes including the 1. They really havent touched the ones i have added in the past month. they have 1 little nest in the bottom that has that familiar chicken shaped nest in it. But thats it.

**** And I am feeding them Dumor laying pellets. About give or take 10lbs a day now. I have went with a new feeding schedule I guess you can say.

 

[Cavendish Chickens]

What does golf balls do? Do they resemble eggs and encourage egg laying?

 

[FF]

Quote:
Yes. The chickens will say well I guess if the others are laying eggs I guess its time. It also tells them where the others are "laying" and chickens lay eggs where everybody has and then they know where to lay their eggs. I have also heard so don't know if its true that since golf balls are hard, a egg eater chicken will try and eat that egg and her beak will hit the hard ball and it will hit their beak nerves that are sensitive and will discourage egg eating. Don't know if its fact or tale but it could save alot of eggs.

 

[WhetzelMomma]

Quote:
Yes, along with the things that FF mentioned! It also helps with free range chickens, to keep them laying where you want them to, and not all around the yard. You only need one ball in a nest. I've heard that more can knock against eggs and crack them. You also don't have to have one in EVERY nest. Just a couple. I had a chicken pecking shells open, and putting golf balls in the nest has stopped this completely.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Hmmm are there feathers everywhere? They may be having a mini molt. Also have you checked for lice and wormed them? That can put them off also.

Other than that, they should be laying soon. I have some birds that are going on 9 months and just laid an egg.

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

It has been a long hot summer and many birds all across the nation have not been laying like they should. We have over 100 birds at this moment and getting very few eggs but it is just now starting to pick back up. At 26 weeks they should be right on that threshold of laying. An old farmer remedy says to make a mash of cornmeal and lots of red pepper flakes with just enough water to make a mash. Feed this to the birds and it will help promote them to lay. We have tried it on some of our birds with suprising results. As for the weight issue, it is not unusual for a bird to not bulk up until they are about a year old. If they have been wormed and are parasite free, both internal and external, then you can feed them some higher protein feed or give them some cat food as treats for higher protein. Lay off the other treats for a while until after laying starts.

 

[Patoot]

Quote:
Yes, along with the things that FF mentioned! It also helps with free range chickens, to keep them laying where you want them to, and not all around the yard. You only need one ball in a nest. I've heard that more can knock against eggs and crack them. You also don't have to have one in EVERY nest. Just a couple. I had a chicken pecking shells open, and putting golf balls in the nest has stopped this completely.

Oh really...just one golf ball? I put 3 in each box. Whoops! Should I just do one?

(Thanks for letting me jump on the thread)

Bree

 

[WhetzelMomma]

I've had great success with just the one ball. It's instinct for them to want to lay where other's have laid. That way, when a hen goes broody, they end up raising for the whole flock. It's a pretty cool system!! lol I have only heard that more than one can crack eggs. I haven't tried with more. They did so well with just the one! I have four nests, and two with golf balls in them. The two with the golf balls are the "hot" nests. I have hens that will WAIT for them to be empty to lay.

Silly chickens.

 

[Pequena Bandada]

You mention how small some of your chickens look... and also mention that you're giving a certain amount of food. I'd try filling up the feeders (you have more than one, right?) and then keeping them full at all times. Don't worry about how many pounds a day, just ensure that the feeders never run empty. Maybe that would help fatten up your small ones.

 

[tuesdays chicks]

I didn't see the reply to... are you certain about the age of your pullets? did you buy them as chicks or older pullet? I would add more protein to their diet, check poop for worms and look for bugs in their feathers.