I have two seven month old Australorps that I rescued from a live poultry market. The man I bought them from barely spoke English but he said they were around 5 months when I got them. These are my first chickens. They had full feathers but were bare around their eyes, and have each gained at least two pounds since I brought them home. They eat layer feed, free range on grass, and eat raisins, oyster shell, black sunflower seeds, and yoghurt as occasional treats. Shouldn't they be laying by now? One's comb is bright red, the other's is still pinkish. I haven't caught them squatting yet, they are both still very shy and hide under the bushes at every opportunity. I've checked everywhere they may have laid, and NO eggs, our yard is not huge.
When should I expect them to start laying? They were sick the first 10 days after I brought them home with a respiratory illness, I gave them antibiotics in their water, and they seem perfectly healthy now.
When should I expect them to start laying? They were sick the first 10 days after I brought them home with a respiratory illness, I gave them antibiotics in their water, and they seem perfectly healthy now.
