Only one hen laying

[bizzeeb60]

Alright, so one of my girls started laying eggs 22 days ago. I have gotten 14 eggs so far. (usually 1 for 2 days in a row then a day without).

So here is my confusion, I have 5 hens. All from the same hatch, same breed. They are now 7 1/2+ months old, is it normal for only one of them to be laying? I increased the laying mash when I found the first egg, and I know they are eating it (I bought a hanging feeder so I could tell how much they were eating) and they run to the feeder as soon as I add fresh in the mornings.

Any suggestions?

 

[Morgaine]

Maybe you have a slow maturing breed? Or they are laying someplace else perhaps?

 

[bizzeeb60]

They are OEG/Wheaton mix (got them free, so was not really my choice for laying hens). They do not free range, they are in a 10 x 10 coop, I have checked under the nesting box and in every corner..no other eggs though.

Another curious thing is, she lays them in the middle of the day. When I go out in the morning to feed them, no egg. When I go out in the afternoon (usually between 3 & 4 pm) there is an egg.

 

[gritsar]

Your hens are certainly old enough. Do you have more than one nesting box? If not, try adding a second one.
I have a hen that lays in the late afternoon every day.

 

[bizzeeb60]

My nesting box has four 12 x 14 sections. That is the other odd thing. Each day the single egg is in a different on of the nests.

 

[oldegger]

Does your coop get a lot of natural light? or due they get out side in a run? They need the long daylite Are you feeding free choice. keeping the feeder full all the time? You don't want to restrict there feed intake

 

[bizzeeb60]

Quote:
The coop is open (chainlink covered with chicken wire) on all four sides. I use a feeder. I place food in it in the morning and check it again in the afternoon. I try to keep plenty in it, if it gets to humid out (since I live in central Florida) I dump it out onto the floor and refill with fresh. I never let the feeder go empty. I also give them scratch mix (that I put on the floor) and they get treats like watermelon, bread, berries, corn-on-cob etc.

 

[EngieKisses]

Are you positive only one hen is laying since they are in different nests? Mine have their Favorite and return to that one usually.

 

[bizzeeb60]

Well, I figure since I have five hens and only get one egg at a time (and not every day) that only one is laying.