Pullets not laying.

[kokosmom2]

The wormer he uses is Ivermax.

 

[pennyJo1960]

The wormer he uses is Ivermax.

hope he isn't eating those eggs they should no need wormed that often

 

[kokosmom2]

I need to go to bed now as I have to get up at 3am to go to work. I'll get back on-line tomorrow to see what else you need to know or any suggestions for him. Thanks for your responses

 

[pennyJo1960]

I am following have a good rest

 

[mr rhode islandred]

mine arnt laying either

 

[Plsc]

Weather is cooling down, that might help

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What do you all use for heat in the winter? I think scratch is ok, just in moderate qualities.

I think most things are OK in moderation.

I use standard feed (Purina flock raiser)... and the birds use the nutritious calories to produce energy that keeps them warm under their down jackets, which cover their feet when they sit on roost. Too many peeps spread that corn or scratch "keeps chickens warm". They don't understand that a calorie is a calorie and the body uses them in it's natural process of maintaining it's temperature. I just feel as though I get more bang for my buck using "nutritious" calories... especially because scratch products cost the same as a formulated ration here, but lacking in vitamins and minerals. The foundation of my flock is good genetics, good nutrition, good pasture management. Of course things can still happen... but birds that have more reserves in the tank have a better chance to fight things off, in my experience.

I'm on the coast in California now, and in the central San Joaquin valley before that... 20's was the lowest we hit and now mid to high 30's. No heat needed, just a shelter with adequate ventilation to prevent any frost bite... (back then) Now ambient humidity is so high ALL the time... moisture settling on combs during extreme cold is what causes frost bite. In some cases moisture can be cause by too much breath from the birds, there are a few good threads on here that discuss it if you live in one of those climates that gets that cold. Thank you for asking and giving me a chance to share!

So he says if he eliminates the scratch, what should he give them in winter?

A formulated ration would be MY choice... either sticking with layer, or grower, or flock raiser... with oyster shell on the side for those who need the added calcium to support their egg laying.

Worming as a "preventative"... MIGHT be a waste of time, energy, and money... might not be treating what you have while NOT treating what you do have... OR might not be needed at all... not all pastures face the same conditions... using the same wormer over and over just creates resistance by said pest so that when it IS needed it may no longer work. I get fecal floats... to confirm possible species and load counts to ensure IF I need to treat that I am using an effective medication... since they don't all work on all species. Best "prevention" in reality (IMO) is good pasture management, not overcrowding, good nutrition, and not doing things to invite other wild species to your property like hanging bird feeders. He may or may not need to be worming that often, "flock fecal" floats would be a great confirmation to kinda see where he stands before the next scheduled treatment. Nine- ten years in... haven't had to treat for worms, YET.

If scratch is given... it is best to do it separately from the feed.. like a personal treat... and scratch and table scraps should NOT exceed 10% of the total daily ration to keep other nutrients balanced. Remembering that table scraps can and should include meat, cuz chickens aren't vegetarian and actually need some amino acids that derive from animal sources only. (they are added in to the vegetarian feeds many of us have available and use)

Heat can slow laying, that doesn't sound like the current case. Day light IS diminishing, so it may be having an impact... Locking them in will give the BEST picture as to what is really going on. I do have a February hatched pullet that isn't laying yet or hiding eggs (comb is light pink not red)... and some have even gone through little molts, that *shouldn't* have, indicated by some pin feathers. If when locked in you see major increase in eggs... then you know... it usually just takes a couple days of lock down to retrain which nests to use... some birds are more private than others and flock antics may be keeping them from laying inside.. I often have to do lockdown once or twice per year as new layers come on line. Monkey see chicken do! If someone found a nice spot to lay, where the eggs pile up instead of disappearing daily... many will follow suit. Adding fake eggs to indoor nests *can* help. I don't know why yet though... some fake eggs are accepted and others aren't... even of the same type.

Heck, he may have a Buff show up with a clutch!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Weather is cooling down, that might help

Definitely if it were very hot.

As weather cools, often daylight diminishes... laying hormone is light sensitive.. so hard to say for sure!

Nature (even domesticated) is sooo interesting!

 

[kokosmom2]

I sent him a link to this thread and he read it. He is going to lock them in the coop Sun-Tues and see what he gets for eggs. Also going to stop the wormer every 6 months. Thank you all for your advice. I'll keep you posted next week after the "lockdown"

 

[pennyJo1960]

I sent him a link to this thread and he read it. He is going to lock them in the coop Sun-Tues and see what he gets for eggs. Also going to stop the wormer every 6 months. Thank you all for your advice. I'll keep you posted next week after the "lockdown"

Both will be good long term teaches em where to lay I had 30 eggs under a hazel nut bush with 6 new layers