Still no eggs😞

[TN_WildFlower]

Good beautiful morning! I need some help in this one..... after loads of research I’m still struggling to help my girls. Two of my girls..... adopted Delaware Hens approx 10 months old laid two eggs for me the day after they arrived to our flock. I’m assuming they already had them forming inside so that’s why they laid for me despite new flock anxiety and stress. It has been a month since these girls have been added. They are still lowest on the totem pole but have integrated into the flock and don’t get chased away anymore except for feeding time. To prevent starvation I lay several piles on the ground of flock feed and hang out with the birds to be sure Henrietta and Betsy get their fill. Betsy is still very timid and she acts like she doesn’t like the crumbles only nibbling on the fringes of the pile. I chose flock feed and leave a bowel of oyster shells for the girls to free feed, i read that Roos shouldn’t have the calcium so I chose all purpose organic flock feed. I have one Americauna that has her wattle and comb turning a lot redder and three Cochins that I know mature later then most other breeds. They are 25 weeks old. My ameraucana should be laying by now along with the Delaware girls. They have a wonderful large space to forage for bugs and greens and all seem very happy, but aren’t laying..... I will plant more kale today to get them the greens they need for the colder months. Live in middle TN so we don’t bet horrible snowy and cold. I feel like I should switch to a layer feed ASAP. What else should I be doing?!!!! I want my hens happy and laying! I’m worried that if they are delayed to long it will hurt them.

 

[aart]

Do you have 2 feeders, set at least 10' apart and always available?
They should have access to feed every hour they are awake.
Same goes for waterers.

If feeding an 'all flock' type feed, a separate feeder with oyster shell should be available.

Layer feed and greens are not going to speed the process.

If you free range, they may be laying out in range area.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[esme13]

That to me seems normal, they may just take a little while longer to lay. Switching to a new flock is very stressful and it tends to slow things down. Also, depending on where you are located, they may start molting soon as well, which can also add on to the length of egg loss production.

 

[TN_WildFlower]

I will implement another feeding station. I have been in the coop with them in the morning and afternoon to prevent food hogging. I do have a small feeder full of oyster shells that the girls have free supply of. That is on the coop with one of the feeders and waterers. I live on a ridge line in Northern TN between Nashville and Knoxville so the weather gets cold but not unbearable. They have a fenced area approx 1500sq feet large in a wooded and bushy area. We chose not to clear a lot of the area for hiding safety from predators and the ability for them to forage. Our days are between 70-80 and our nighttime temps range from 50-60. Except for the crazy cold front we had for two days where the temps dropped to 45 over night. They seem happy and healthy. But being a first time chicken mama, first time homesteader I want to do things right and I don’t want my girls in distress or me causing something to go wrong with their ability to lay eggs. I have one of two Roos that follows the Delaware girls into the coop to watch over them when they laid their two eggs. Mama, my ameraucana knows where to lay as well. We blocked off the nest boxes will they hit 20 weeks old and I put two fake eggs in the nest boxes to sight encourage the girls to lay there. Boy my two Delaware’s made quite the egg laying ruckus for two days and I sat outside their coop with coffee to watch the magic. Even saw nightshade attempt to do a funky mating dance. I just want to be doing everything correctly!

Do you have 2 feeders, set at least 10' apart and always available?
They should have access to feed every hour they are awake.
Same goes for waterers.

If feeding an 'all flock' type feed, a separate feeder with oyster shell should be available.

Layer feed and greens are not going to speed the process.

If you free range, they may be laying out in range area.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/