***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Kassaundra]

Hello all you fellow Okies!!!! I am new to chickens and new to BYC. So far I love it and have gotten a lot of good information.

I have a problem that maybe some of you can answer for me. I bought a flock of 20- 2 year old hens on December 8th. They were suppose to be laying eggs and as of today only 2 of them are laying, and sometimes only every other day. I have a variety of hens, and think many of them may be crosses. I have Austrolop,
Americauna, cuckoo marans, Cochin cross, Naked Neck, and several others that are pretty just don't know what to call them. I don't think the lady I bought them from had any supplemental light on them. As soon as I brought them home I put them in the hen house with about 4 1/2 hours of supplemental light and no w am letting them free range in my yard during the day. I have checked all around the yard to be sure none of them were laying while free ranging and I have found none.

My question is: How long should it take them to adapt to their new home, feed, light, etc. and start laying? I would of thought they would of started by now. I'm feeling that I got "taken" on this flock. Do I need to give them more time? They are really ksgoing through the feed and not giving me any eggs in return.

Thanks!

I do not know how long it will take them to adjust, but mine (including new point of lay pullets) are not laying well right now either. And I know their history, so it may just be time of year.

 

[NanaKat]

Quote: No

Nasty Nesty Nellie is not broodie yet, but she sure didn't want to come off a nest filled with bantam eggs that she confiscated when the broodie cochin got down to eat and drink. That is one determined NNN...she bit me when I removed her so the broodie could get back on the nest.

Congrats on the babies and practicing parents.

 

[Critterwoman]

I am going to try and post some pictures of my chickens:

 

[Critterwoman]

Do you add supplemental light?

 

[Kassaundra]

Do you add supplemental light?

I have a light an electricity to the coop for my convenience, but I do not do supplemental light w/ it. I don't mind them taking a break in the winter, we have a hard time keeping up w/ the eggs anyway so it gives us a chance to catch up with them.

 

[Sooner]

Kass I get tired reading all the things you get done! I can't wait to see all your pictures when you get done. Sure is an odd winter for us around here. Sad to say that I am not industrious & have been getting nothing done.

 

[NanaKat]

Kass I get tired reading all the things you get done! I can't wait to see all your pictures when you get done. Sure is an odd winter for us around here. Sad to say that I am not industrious & have been getting nothing done.

Second that Sooner and I bet Kass runs on the Energizer Bunny batteries too!

 

[NanaKat]

Critterwoman...welcome to the thread.
Besides the Australorps, your flock has Barred Rock, a Delaware cross, a Silver Laced Wyandotte, a Buff Naked Neck (Turken), somerRed sex-links and possibly a Blue Andalusion. Others may chime in with what they see.

As for supplemental light, I use a red light for heat in the the coop for temps below 30 to keep the big plastic waterers from freezing. In January, I add a light with a timer to come on at 5:30 am and off at 7:30 am. I like to give the girls a chance to follow nature's plan of gaining strength after molting and resting up for Spring.

Some of my birds have not stopped laying and I have moved them into breeding pens and will begin collecting eggs in two weeks for hatching....if the laying continues.
My Australorps ususally stop laying for about a week or two after molt and then begin again .

Your flock is in new surroundings, on a regimin that may be different from what they were used to and that will stop them from laying. Last year, my entire flock stopped laying for 45 days. The expense of feed will be money that you will recoup when they begin to lay and you aren't buying eggs.

Production breeds like the Sex-links are good for 2 - 3 years of egg laying. You can vent check them to determine who your layers are when they begin. Those that don't begin to lay in the Spring , will make nice crock pot meals.

 

[Kassaundra]

I was out in the yard digging up raspberry patches and cleaning up runner grass around my last tree, the fig tree, when I got an unexpected visitor. A young deer it had small antlers, it was extremely friendly, you could walk right up to it, so I figure it had been hand reared and released or got free. It had been hurt, looked like a dog attack, didn't look like a bad or lethal attack. The odd part is I live in town.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Hello all you fellow Okies!!!! I am new to chickens and new to BYC. So far I love it and have gotten a lot of good information.

I have a problem that maybe some of you can answer for me. I bought a flock of 20- 2 year old hens on December 8th. They were suppose to be laying eggs and as of today only 2 of them are laying, and sometimes only every other day. I have a variety of hens, and think many of them may be crosses. I have Austrolop,
Americauna, cuckoo marans, Cochin cross, Naked Neck, and several others that are pretty just don't know what to call them. I don't think the lady I bought them from had any supplemental light on them. As soon as I brought them home I put them in the hen house with about 4 1/2 hours of supplemental light and no w am letting them free range in my yard during the day. I have checked all around the yard to be sure none of them were laying while free ranging and I have found none.

My question is: How long should it take them to adapt to their new home, feed, light, etc. and start laying? I would of thought they would of started by now. I'm feeling that I got "taken" on this flock. Do I need to give them more time? They are really ksgoing through the feed and not giving me any eggs in return.

Thanks!

Congrats on your chickens! Don't write them off yet! Here's what I know and see from your pictures.

When I have gotten new chickens and I am told are laying already, it usually takes about a week before they start laying regularly again. So you are right at the end of that time frame and they should start up any time. This is a BIG change for them and a shock to their system.

At least one (and maybe more) look like they are moulting, so they will not lay for a few weeks at least, maybe up to 2 more months. I see at least one rooster I think, are there more than that? Some of these hens have worn out back feathers, I'm guessing from rooster attention. It will grow back next time they molt. It could also be from feather picking due to overcrowding or boredom. That's great you are able to free range them some. That will help them feel like they have enough room and not be bored/feather pick each other.

I don't know much about the breeds I don't currently own. But I do think the ones you have with the puffy cheeks are Easter Eggers, not true Ameraucanas. I also think the one that is black with the copper neck is a Black Copper Maran. A lot more knowledgeable people should be able to chip in and tell you about the others!

Enjoy them!