She layed "an" egg...

[CherokeeFlats]

Ok, we have some RIR and Comets that are old enough to lay yet, we have only gotten ONE egg from the bunch.

RIR hen -- 2 yr old
RIR pullet -- Dec 08 hatch
Comet pullets -- March 09 hatch.

I should be getting more than 1 egg now right??? She layed it on Monday and Haven't seen another one yet....

Any suggestions???

 

[emilyweck]

Yes, they should be laying. Do they free range? Maybe there is another area they are laying their eggs. Mine didn't lay for a while so I put a golf ball in the nesting box. I think it encouraged them because I would find them laying on them before they were even laying eggs.

 

[Puck-Puck]

How long have you had these birds? A week? I'd guess relocation stress might screw them up (newbie here). Or have you had them since chicks? Except for the March 09 hatch, the other two should be keeping you in omelets and meringues.

 

[CherokeeFlats]

We got the Comets in May, the older RIR hen was gotten 2 weeks ago as was the RIR pullet. We have 5 more RIR pullets but they are only 10-12 weeks old and are seperate from everyone else for now...

No mine are not free range, they have a coop with an attached run.. we look everywhere, could they be buring them in the bedding??

I do have golf balls in the boxes!! HAHAHA.. I told the hubby to do that and he just looked at me so I did it... ugh men...

Could it be the feed??? They are all fed DuMoor, laying ration.... should I switch feeds?????

 

[calicokat]

Were the older ones laying for the previous owner? If so, I'd go with the previous suggestion that they are still settling in some. Although, my rehomed hens each layed an egg the day after they arrived.

Are the temps really high where you are? That might be a factor too.

 

[CherokeeFlats]

yes.. it's been really hot here... we usually have a good breeze but the last few days there hasnt been any.. should we get a fan for some air flow going??

 

[1littlefarmer]

I just (two weeks ago) got two hens from a local farm and one has been laying an egg every two or three days since she got here and the other just layed her first egg yesterday and it was a tiny, yolkless egg. I think it just takes some of them time to settle in.

 

[Puck-Puck]

I'm new to chickens, but a fan or whatever will get the air moving, sounds like a good idea. It's still probably a good idea to avoid putting the fan directly on the birds, because it's still a draft, although a warm one. Someone more experienced may be able to be tell you if I'm being over-cautious.

 

[cmom]

Some birds might lay shortly after they get to their new home and then stop for awhile while they are going through an adjustment period. Also if it is hot where you are that could also be a factor. Also if you have changed their feed, almost any change in a chicken's life can affect their laying.