So FRUSTRATED!!

[klace08]

Im new to this... so I know I need to be patient... but I have lots of questions:

1: my 21 week old BO's are not laying!! Arent we about there?
2: One is a bit louder than the others, is it normal for a chicken to talk all day? Theres no obvious crowing happening...
3: Im feeding them lay crumble, and they have the run of the yard during daylight hours. Is this the appropriate food for them to lay?


I feel like they have new behaviors every week! This week they are friendlier, and run over to say hello. Last week they were all about running away. I feel like Im not doing everything they need... but what is it they want!!!

 

[gryeyes]

Shhhhh, shhhhhh, shhhhhhh, now, now. Patience. BOs aren't known for early laying. Yer doing fine. Some even wait until 35 weeks, so don't be holding your breath like that!

I have a BO in my varied flock, and she buk buk buks all day long. Not all that loudly, but pretty constantly. She's quite talkative and tells me gossip about the other hens. I pretend to understand. We buk and bok back and forth to each other.

Layer feed is appropriate for pullets who are at least 18-20 weeks old or which have started laying. I don't use layer feed, though.... I feed all purpose "grower/finisher" feed and keep crushed oyster shell out free choice for 'em. That way I can feed the same stuff to all the chickens of any age over 8 weeks without harming their growing bodies, and the rooster(s) don't get extra calcium - but which doesn't really hurt them. Those that need the calcium will take the oyster shell bits. I keep it in an empty tuna can nailed to the side of the coop. Now and then I toss some out on the ground in a certain spot for 'em.

You WILL notice new behaviors as they mature, and simply as time goes by and you observe something else.

They want food, water, shelter, security, attention, places to sun themselves, take dust baths, chase & catch bugs, eat green living plants, and treats.

Pretty simple needs.

 

[oesdog]

I feed my chickens Layers and Poultry grain and they lay fine. They also have treats.
Your chickens may just be taking a wee bit longer. You say tehy free range in the daytime , Chickens don;t always go back to the coop to lay! They may have laid somewere in your yard! They are new to laying and don't know what to do yet. Some folk put fake eggs in the nest baskets. I think you need to be patient. I am sorry to tell you but yeah they can be noisy - and if you dont; have a rooster one of the hens will take that place and could very well be louder than the others.

Please be patient and search your yard! You may find eggs there. They are only 21 weeks give it time.

Oesdog -

 

[Yay Chicks!]

My BO is 21 weeks and started laying last week. So, you could be close, or not. They seem pretty individual. She talks ALOT. And, when she lays it takes about two hours of constant noise with the other 3 joining in. What a diva!
I feed layer feed and offer oyster shell.
It's hard being patient. One of my EEs gave me a green egg last Friday and nothing since.
When I hear the egg song, I become a terrible stalker until I see that little gift in the nest box.

 

[klace08]

Thank you all for the encouragement

I have no problem with being patient, as long as I know I am doing everything right. Of course everyone who has ever seen a chicken is giving us advice... Grandpa says dont feed 'em too much, or they get lazy. Is this true? And the father in law (zoology degree, but knows newts, not chickens) says I need a rooster. Im not that uneducated, am I? Do i need a BO rooster to get delicious eggs???

 

[Break an Egg]

They will lay very well once they start. Mine are 25 weeks old and they haven't started yet.

 

[crawfordmama]

Good news! Your chickens will lay eggs without a rooster. You only need a roo for fertile eggs.

As far as being chatty, that's totally normal. They're just telling you about their day. There is usually a dominant hen that will be louder than the others.

Since they're free ranging, you may stumble on a few eggs. Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[crazy huhn]

No worries. It sounds that you are doing everything right. My pullets seldom start laying with 20 weeks. That is just a guide line and more often applies to high yield layers like Leghorns. Actually I have noticed over the years that the later a pullet starts laying her first egg the longer she will lay during her entire life.

Have you noticed any changes in the color of their combs? Are the waddles more elongated? Furthermore, are they squatting down if you try to pick them up? These are all signs that the point of laying gets closer. The earliest one of my pullets started to lay was with 21 weeks, the latest was one last year with 38 weeks. No reason to be frustrated.