Some hens not laying, help.

[TomKat]

I am a newbie to chicken raising having my small flock for about 4 weeks. We first adopted 3 banty seabright hens and 1 seabright rooster. We were told they were about 3 yrs old. They were on starter feed for the whole 3yrs. There was no nest boxes at their original home and the hens never laid eggs. Once we brought them home I put them on layer feed, and we have nest boxes in the coop. No eggs. About 2 weeks ago we adopted 5 more banty hens (2 cochins and 3 frizzles). I am getting about 3 eggs every two days from the most recent adoptees. I was hoping maybe this would induce the seabrights to lay as well, but so far not. The seabrights check out the eggs but don't appear to display any egg laying behavior themselves. I know seabrights are not high producers but shouldn't I get something? Did the 3yrs on starter feed prevent them from becoming layers? I've tried the golf balls in the nest boxes, but that only encourages the one frizzle to try to hatch the golf ball. Any advise on convincing my other girls to lay would be much appreciated. (Waiting to see what comes out of a hatched golf ball.)

 

[chookchick]

Not laying any eggs for 3 years! I don't think that is possible. If there are no nestboxes, they will make a nest and lay SOMEWHERE. I suspect, especially since they are "checking out" the other eggs. that they may lay soft or no shell eggs and eat them. Once they are on laying ration for a while, with oyster shell available, they should start laying. Are they otherwise healthy?

 

[TomKat]

Yes they are otherwise healthy. The color on their little combs is nice and red. There's no parasites and they have all their feathers. I do have plenty of oyster shell thanks to the previous property owner. Do they instictively know when they need the calcium or should I be encouraging them in some way? I have grapes and peaches coming into season, so I've been giving that to them almost daily. They appear to have healthy appetites. It's good to hear that the 3yrs seems out of line. I was a little worried I wouldn't ever see eggs from them. I'm in northern Calif, so we are having our normal hot weather and my recent reading on the forum has made me realize this also affects laying. It sounds like I need to give them a little more time on the right feed. I appreciate the reassurance and insight.

 

[BanavieBabe]

i just want to point out that chickens tend to slow down egg production about 2 years and tend to stop at about 3 years, (thats what ive been told...

 

[Elite Silkies]

The best laying years of a hen are the first 2. Some hens will continue to lay for several years, but they will slow down a lot.

They were not getting proper nutrition if they were on grower for 3 years. Give them some time to settle in. You can give them calcium several different ways; with oyster shell, tums and by injection.

 

[Yvonne37894]

My local feed store just recomended rolled oats to boost laying. I'm going to try it as mine are not laying as they should be.