Should I be happy or upset?

[caracals]

Two girls I gave away to my mom's coworker started to lay! They're 5 months old (23 weeks) and their sister hasn't even started laying, nor have the others who grew up with them.
I don't even know if I should be excited or upset! I gave away two girls who I loved dearly only to have them lay less than 2 weeks later. I don't even know how to react right now xD

< Girls in question

< their recent eggs

I'm at a loss of words right now lol.

 

[Welshies]

What are you feeding? That could be the contributing factor in why these girls weren't laying. Does she use supplemental lighting? That could also be another factor.

 

[caracals]

What are you feeding? That could be the contributing factor in why these girls weren't laying. Does she use supplemental lighting? That could also be another factor.

They are fed Manna Pro Egg Maker (Layer) feed. I was thinking about switching back to starter since apparently it has more protein in it?

She doesn't use supplement lighting, no. But I know she DOES use starter feed and I don't! Is that why?

 

[junebuggena]

They are fed Manna Pro Egg Maker (Layer) feed. I was thinking about switching back to starter since apparently it has more protein in it?

She doesn't use supplement lighting, no. But I know she DOES use starter feed and I don't! Is that why?

It's the feed. Layer feed is for actively laying birds only. It does not have enough protein for maturing/developing birds. And Easter Eggers tend to need more protein than other breeds to be productive.

 

[Welshies]

They are fed Manna Pro Egg Maker (Layer) feed. I was thinking about switching back to starter since apparently it has more protein in it?

She doesn't use supplement lighting, no. But I know she DOES use starter feed and I don't! Is that why?

That's probably why. Laying feed often lacks in the protein levels it needs, and has added calcium. The calcium in lay-feed, if fed to non laying birds (roosters, chicks, non laying hens) can actually delay development (severely- I suspect that it the case here), cause liver failure, or calcium overdose (which causes death). It's not common, but it does happen... which is why most BYCers stay away from layer feed.
I suggest you switch to 18-22% (preferably 20%) grower, starter, maintenance, or all flock feed, and feed it to your birds, as well as provide free-choice grit and oystershell.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Go poke her in the eye and take back your chickens!!!

I'M KIDDING.....

The change in scenery may have destressed them if they were lower on the chicken hierarchy. I wouldn't worry about it too much, and congratulate their new chickie mama!

 

[caracals]

Go poke her in the eye and take back your chickens!!!

I'M KIDDING.....

The change in scenery may have destressed them if they were lower on the chicken hierarchy. I wouldn't worry about it too much, and congratulate their new chickie mama!

OMG the lady who bought them is friends with my mother and did say I could ask for them back if I really wanted them.....
But no, I'm not that mean as mad as I am right now xD

They were in the middle - not too high, not too low. I'm guessing them being moved helped a lot in destressing them like you suggest. I miss them so much, though.

That's probably why. Laying feed often lacks in the protein levels it needs, and has added calcium. The calcium in lay-feed, if fed to non laying birds (roosters, chicks, non laying hens) can actually delay development (severely- I suspect that it the case here), cause liver failure, or calcium overdose (which causes death). It's not common, but it does happen... which is why most BYCers stay away from layer feed.
I suggest you switch to 18-22% (preferably 20%) grower, starter, maintenance, or all flock feed, and feed it to your birds, as well as provide free-choice grit and oystershell.

Oh man! Good thing I'm running out of that feed then, because this really opened my eyes a lot. Do you have a recommended feed for them that works for your chickens/most chickens?

 

[caracals]

It's the feed. Layer feed is for actively laying birds only. It does not have enough protein for maturing/developing birds. And Easter Eggers tend to need more protein than other breeds to be productive.

Oh man! You guys are really opening up my eyes right now LOL.
Alas, I'm not as perfect as I hoped I'd be. I have one laying hen that was bought not that long ago and she's laid 3 eggs so far. Will she still function well on starter/grower feed if I buy it for all my pullets?

 

[Smuvers Farm]

We have a very mixed age flock, so we keep them on starter/grower and free feed oyster and egg shells. We also feed back eggs that are too muddy/poopy to take inside to eat.....

 

[caracals]

We have a very mixed age flock, so we keep them on starter/grower and free feed oyster and egg shells. We also feed back eggs that are too muddy/poopy to take inside to eat.....

Yeah, I have oyster shell on me so I can feed that to them if they choose to. What brand of feed do you give them?