question on health of hens

[HeatherLynn]

Ok I bought 4 year old hens 2 weeks ago. Probably not the best move because they looked a bit small and puny but I took them anyway. Ok so I have them on layer feed and they are plowing their way through that. They get grass and clover aplenty, their are fancy scratch grains in with them which is mostly for the rooster. I also provide egg and eggshells ( baked and then crushed fine). They seem like they are still lacking and they are not laying many eggs. Suggestions?

 

[yotetrapper]

Really, 4 year old hens don't lay many eggs. Thats probably why they were selling them. The first 2-3 years are the best, after that they slow down considerably. You'll most likely have to either make soup and start again, or be a retirement home for senior hens and buy some new chicks for egg production. Sorry that the person who sold them to you didnt warn you.

Angela

 

[ranchhand]

Some hens just quit earlier, some later. Hard to say for sure, but that might be why you got the hens- they had stopped being regular layers. They also need time to adjust to a new environment, that can sometimes take what feels like forever.

Make sure they have clean nests in a darker area. Got any snakes stealing eggs? Lay off on the scratch, it's for treats only. The rooster can eat the layer feed just fine. Hope they start up soon!

 

[HeatherLynn]

I'm sorry I worded that badly. I bought 4 one year old chicks or 4, year old chicks. Bah I worded it badly. So at 1 year production is still a bit slow. Thats fine. I just want to make sure its not something I am not giving them. They looked a little rough when I got them but not bad. Just not as nice and healthy looking as our friends laying hens. I am doing anything I can think of to get them in better shape.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I think the biggest thing you need to give them is time. Two weeks is not much time to get used to new people, a new coop, a new yard, a new diet and probably a new schedule. It sounds like you are taking really great care of them. I'm sure they will start laying again, before long. If they didn't look that great and are eating a wonderful diet now with gusto, they are probably rebuilding their bodies with the better nutrients. When they get done doing that, they will start making all that great food into eggs.

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

Quote:
Definitely. I got my first 3 girls when they were nearly a year old and it took what seemed like forever for them to get acquainted with their new home and start laying again. Then out of no where, where there once were no eggs, all the sudden there were three! Everyday! Just give them some time, sounds like you are doing a great job.