One month later they're not all laying..

[MegWVT]

Hello,
I have 5 golden comets all of whom I received as 'day old' chicks. 2 of my girls have been laying consistently for a month now but the other 3 have not started. I can tell the eggs are from the same girls because they're always in the same spot and the eggs have grown in size. Is it possible I have 3 chickens who can't lay? Thank you in advance for your advice and suggestions!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Very often when I have a group of girls that are the same breed and from same location, they will start laying up to a month or so apart from each other. It's simple, they are individuals... and just how not all girls will start menstruating at the same time, neither will chickens.

Sounds completely normal.

 

[Gray Farms]

They'll lay when they are ready and not a day before. You've just got to be patient.

 

[MegWVT]

I wouldn't say I'm impatient for them just wanted to make sure nothing's wrong with them

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I wouldn't say I'm impatient for them just wanted to make sure nothing's wrong with them

Are they allowed to free range? It's also possible they could be hiding a nest.

But most likely, it's just the genetic not yet ready thing.

 

[MegWVT]

We free ranged all summer but then built them a "winter run" after we lost one to wildlife. Hopefully the girls lay a few for me before winter rolls around

 

[EggSighted4Life]

We free ranged all summer but then built them a "winter run" after we lost one to wildlife. Hopefully the girls lay a few for me before winter rolls around

First year layers may start a little later if coming into lay during fall. And they may not lay to their full capacity. But you will get eggs from all first year layers even during the winter. It's usually the second year that you might not get any during molt. Some add a couple new layers each year to combat that. But even then, they don't all molt at the same time and so some might be finished and back laying before others even start. Having more than one breed helps. But there are so many possibilities!

You will be rolling in the eggs before you know it. this year!

 

[MegWVT]

First year layers may start a little later if coming into lay during fall. And they may not lay to their full capacity. But you will get eggs from all first year layers even during the winter. It's usually the second year that you might not get any during molt. Some add a couple new layers each year to combat that. But even then, they don't all molt at the same time and so some might be finished and back laying before others even start. Having more than one breed helps. But there are so many possibilities!

You will be rolling in the eggs before you know it. this year!

Thank you! We plan to get other varieties soon, we're building a larger coop after we "chicken sat" for our neighbors for the entire summer. Went from caring for 15 to 6 that belonged to us. My biggest concern was if the chickens are stressed due to losing the 9 that belong to my neighbor, losing another girl to wildlife, their new run, etc. They all started squatting at the same time so I've begun to worry that they're too stressed to lay. (If that's possible)

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thank you! We plan to get other varieties soon, we're building a larger coop after we "chicken sat" for our neighbors for the entire summer. Went from caring for 15 to 6 that belonged to us. My biggest concern was if the chickens are stressed due to losing the 9 that belong to my neighbor, losing another girl to wildlife, their new run, etc. They all started squatting at the same time so I've begun to worry that they're too stressed to lay. (If that's possible)

Yes, it's totally possible that losing flock mates could have a slight impact. And new coop and predator visits for sure will. And stress does certainly play a role. And maybe MORE for some individuals than for others.

But with what you have described, sounds like it's just standard developmental differences that I have experienced time and again. Possibly exaggerated by the other stresses, but they should be settling in as that memory fades. And before you know it you will be rolling in the eggs with a bunch of your own ladies singing the egg song.

 

[aart]

Time for a 'butt check'......to see who is laying and who is not.

Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points, feel for the 2 bony points(pelvic bones F-F) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.
(Spacing is relative with chickens size and humans finger size.)