Still no eggs...

[Annabele]

I will take some pictures and try to put them up within the next few days. I do have progress though. I read somewhere to take one chicken and bring her outside. So I did that, and next thing I know, they are all out there enjoying life. I know this doesn't mean that I'll see an egg tomorrow, but I feel like it's a step in the right direction. My neighbors' cat came over and scared them. Would a cat hurt them?

 

[LibRat]

When I got Lucy it took her exactly two weeks to the day to lay an egg for us. I think it stresses them out. New environment and all...

 

[tgooberbutt]

I will take some pictures and try to put them up within the next few days. I do have progress though. I read somewhere to take one chicken and bring her outside. So I did that, and next thing I know, they are all out there enjoying life. I know this doesn't mean that I'll see an egg tomorrow, but I feel like it's a step in the right direction. My neighbors' cat came over and scared them. Would a cat hurt them?

I find that the free-roaming neighborhood cats generally can't catch my full-grown chickens. And many of the chickens are simply bigger than the cats. A few squirts with a garden hose when the cat gets close to your chickens and the cat should learn.

 

[Tomtommom]

If they are so terribly freaked out as you say, they wont lay eggs. My girls stopped laying for 2-3 days when we put a new fence up! A fence in an area that they were familiar with. Chickens spook easily, and a big move will certainly stress them out. You can honestly expect 1-2 weeks before you get some eggs. I know that's hard to deal with. Also, make sure they have a dark and private area to lay their eggs. Lay some fake eggs (oval rocks, small balls, anything egg shape) in the nest area. Give them some time.

 

[sourland]

Plain and simple fact - chickens hate change. It is absolutely normal for hens moved into a new environment to stop laying - sometimes for a matter of months. What is happening is a common occurrence when chickens are relocated.

 

[FLA-girl]

I don't know what breed they are, but I've been waiting for 8 months for my Wyandottes to lay. There is a chance the guy lied and you need to keep waiting longer. Chicken's freak easily, try to offer some scratch and not spend too much time around for a while. Once they settle a little, you can try establishing a relationship with them.

 

[Joan71]

I'm thinking maybe the man I bought them form lied about them laying at all? I don't know. I am giving them a few more days, and if there's still nothing, I will be giving them away. So far all they gave me is poop in every square inch of my barn.... = ( I'm thinking I may not be cut out for this chicken stuff....

So sorry you are so upset. Don't be upset with your girls. I have read all of the posts. Everyone is giving you good advise. If the hens are terrified of you, I am thinking that he didn't spend time with them (associate with them). He may have had them in with a lot of others, just fed them and kept them penned up. That is the impression I am getting from your description of their behavior. Do you want to try to save your flock? If so, I recommend the following steps. Do you have them in a coop or loose in the barn (which I am assuming is rather large and they may have been kept in a pen.) I would go in the barn and sit quietly and let them get use to you and your voice. A lot of patience will be required. A nice treat (greens, grapes, scratch corn) sprinkled on the floor will catch their interest. Just don't expect to much to soon. Just because he told you they were 8 months old, they may be younger. As for the poop all over the barn, you can correct that, be limiting their access to the whole barn. If you have a true barn with stalls, you could put chicken wire around the top of the stall to keep them in one place. Give them some time in the stall to get use to the sounds of the barn and get familiar with their new surroundings. Put straw or hay down for them to scratch and play in (This will also make it easier for you to clean up the poop). Put their water and food in the stall with them. Then try to relax. If they are frightened, they may not lay until they feel safe in their new place. Chickens are community creatures. By pecking order, we mean that they work it out between themselves, who will be the boss, 2nd in command, 3rd and so on. This is normal for them. They are a family in a community setting. As humans, we don't understand until we read all of the info that we can here on BYC. They have an answer on here for every thing. Do you know what breed they are? Posting a picture for us, someone may be able to tell you more about the breed you bought, their behaviors, etc. I have 4 Red Sex Links. I got them as babies. All of them did not mature as the same time. One didn't start laying for 3 or 4 weeks after the others. I have one that is smaller than the others, she will lay for several days, then takes a day off. (nothing wrong, just her pattern for laying). My Big Red is the leader, she does everything first, then the others follow.

I would not want to start trying to free range new hens on my yard until they felt safe in their coop/barn, whatever. The place that they sleep in at night is their safe place. They will go out to explore and hunt for bugs once they feel safe. I leave the door to their pen open for an hour when we feed and clean their area just before dark. When it starts getting dark, the lead hen will return to the coop and the others will follow her. I close the door and lock it for the night. I hope you will try some of the suggestions. Having chickens for pets (and eggs) has been a very enjoyable experience for our family. Let us know what you decide.

 

[kwestley]

Be patient!! I have raised my 8 chickens since they were 3 days old, and I still couldn't hold them!! They are almost 7 months now and only 4 of them are laying. Give them sometimes to get familiar in the new environment and one day you'll get your reward!! I know it's hard to wait!! We've all been there!!! Good luck!!

 

[hosspak]

I will take some pictures and try to put them up within the next few days. I do have progress though. I read somewhere to take one chicken and bring her outside. So I did that, and next thing I know, they are all out there enjoying life. I know this doesn't mean that I'll see an egg tomorrow, but I feel like it's a step in the right direction. My neighbors' cat came over and scared them. Would a cat hurt them?

Annabele,

.. Everybody in this thread has given you tons of good advice because of their experiences. That's what BYC does. Just take it slow and not try all these suggestions all at once. The coop is the best first step. This should be their safe zone. If you don't have one, get one or make one, but the flock needs a coop. Free range is great but they still need that safe zone. Read the coop posts here on BYC. Nest boxes that provide a dark place to hide and roosts that are placed above the boxes for them to sleep on. and keep them penned up for a few days so they know this is their spot. They will calm down after awhile depending on their breed. My Easter Egger still won't come close unless I have worms, but the rest will jump on my lap or let me pet them when I walk by. Don't give up, because you will be rewarded when they imprint on you. When I shake the worm bag, you better look out because they will come galloping towards you. They will warm up to you just like a dog does. But you really do need the coop up before anything, they will love you for it. Yes, do post your pictures so we can try to determine what breeds you have, then the BYC regs can go crazy showing off their knowledge.

Then, you can spend what little time you have left to do this...

 

[amyree24]

I have 8 chickens that I've raised and right now only 4-5 are laying, but they have some anxiety from past experiences with our dog trying to torment them. All the previous advice is good. We've had to spend some time with our girls inside the fenced area, feeding them treats and we have 2 apple trees to give them apples from. They are very skiddish, so I'm hoping in time they will become more comfortable and feel secure. I love keeping chickens. This is our first year doing so. Maybe because we raised them, but I just love watching them interact and evolve over time. I hope you are able to make it work.