only 3 eggs in 3 weeks from 21 hens! help!

[tiajavier]

Hello!
I'm new to raising chickens but this just doesn't sound right. I have 6 buff orpingtons and 6 brown leghorn that are 23 weeks old and 5 light brahmas and 6 easter Eggers that are 20 weeks old and one 20 week old light brahma Cockrell. My first egg was 3 weeks ago. It was large and white. Then I got 2 very small eggs that looked tinted browna week apart. I'm assuming there are 2 different hens laying. But why no more eggs out why isn't it every day or every other day? I've fed them layer for the last few months. My last egg was 5 days ago. What could possibly be the problem?
Thanks

 

[sourland]

Are your birds free ranged? Is there any possibility they have hidden nests?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Aside from the hidden nests........
Brahma should not be laying for a long time yet. Around 8 months old for them to lay.

The cockerel of course will never lay.

The white egg would have been from a leghorn. The tinted would be a Buff Orpington.

How long have you had them on layer feed. OH MY that is way to early if it has truly been for a few months. Your male should not be eating layer regardless of age.

Thinking you need "all flock" as a feed. Your male will suffer over time on layer feed as it has calcium he does not need and cannot get rid of.

The ages of your Buffs and Leghorns makes me think they are hiding them on you.

 

[tiajavier]

Are your birds free ranged?  Is there any possibility they have hidden nests?

For the majority of the day they are in their coop and run. I let them out to free range for about 30 min each day and it is supervised.

 

[tiajavier]

Aside from the hidden nests........
Brahma should not be laying for a long time yet. Around 8 months old for them to lay.

The cockerel of course will never lay.

The white egg would have been from a leghorn. The tinted would be a Buff Orpington.

How long have you had them on layer feed. OH MY that is way to early if it has truly been for a few months. Your male should not be eating layer regardless of age.

Thinking you need "all flock" as a feed. Your male will suffer over time on layer feed as it has calcium he does not need and cannot get rid of.

The ages of your Buffs and Leghorns makes me think they are hiding them on you.

I didn't not know the cockrel couldn't eat the layer! But I've had then on it for about 2 months or so

 

[junebuggena]

Layer is for actively laying birds. Most of your flock is still a bit young for regular, consistent production. A grower, flock raiser, or all flock would be your best option for feed. You will need to put out a dish of crushed oyster shell as a calcium supplement for the girls that need it. The average age a Leghorn starts laying eggs is usually about 20 to 25 weeks. Orpingtons and Easter Eggers usually don't start until about 25 weeks or later. Brahmas take a while to mature, they won't be laying until about 8 months old.

 

[tiajavier]

Layer is for actively laying birds. Most of your flock is still a bit young for regular, consistent production. A grower, flock raiser, or all flock would be your best option for feed. You will need to put out a dish of crushed oyster shell as a calcium supplement for the girls that need it. The average age a Leghorn starts laying eggs is usually about 20 to 25 weeks. Orpingtons and Easter Eggers usually don't start until about 25 weeks or later. Brahmas take a while to mature, they won't be laying until about 8 months old.

What about the fact that some have laid before? Aren't they supposed to lay regularly? Especially after 3 weeks

 

[junebuggena]

It can take several weeks for them to start laying regularly. It also takes quite a bit of protein to produce an egg (that egg white doesn't just make it's self). Layer feed is a bit low in protein content, in my opinion.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would agree it is low on the protein. All Flock by Nutrena is 18%. I think that is low as well if they are getting a lot of treats.
Think of scratch as candy and only give in very small amounts. For the 32 hens I have I give about a cup and a half total a day.

 

[aart]

How big is coop and run for 22 birds?