Still no eggs...

[joycespell]

You might want to give them laying mash or any other feed (not straight corn though) on the ground so that they will begin scratching and try to stay in there for a few minutes as they eat every day so that they can get used to you. As for laying, they are still under stress so it will be a little while before they lay.

 

[chicketydooda]

My new hens took 3 weeks to start laying again. I have one that still isn't laying a single egg. It is frustrating but it happens. Every time you add a new member to the flock egg production goes down...I am new to chickens and never realized this.

 

[nluoma]

We thought we had really slow laying chickens. Then I found their nest under the stairs with 25 eggs in it.... At least now we know where to look!

 

[gypsychicken]

Chickens need time to adjust and are upset, so they are not laying. Patience, give them time.
Take the bully out. Pullets are young and tender, make great fried chicken...

 

[Joan71]

Congrats and good job girls! They just needed a little time. From the sounds of it they will soon be enjoying The Life. Chicken heaven indeed.

Congrats on the good job girls....We are proud of you and knew you could do it. Mom, now you can relax and just enjoy your girls. They are so wonderful to watch. I feel proud that my girls allow me to be a part of their little community. Enjoy those first eggs. Take a picture for your page here. Have a happy weekend.

 

[The Mother Hen]

I was told that they are about 8 months old. And I don't quite understand what molting means... Thanks for all the advice, I will give them more time and try to be more patient... And I'm pretty sure that the are all girls.

Hi Anna, molting means when the hen looses her feathers. Now before you freak out, molting is very normal and a hen will go through several molts in her lifetime. The hen that is pecking the others is the dominant female. Usually a female hen will act as a rooster if there is no rooster around. She becomes the matriarch and will start to "crow" in the future. If you see her picking at the other hen's feathers then that is a problem. Picking is when I hen will go and pull out a few feathers of another hen... usually around and on the butt and wings. Hens get nervous in a new environment, so just wait for the eggs and don't stress. Nature will take its course and you will get eggs soon, but possibly not until spring. Since it is winter, there WILL be a decrease in egg production due to it being cold. A hen's body will "shut down" and she will stop laying in cooler months. The reason for this is to ensure chick survival, since it is cold baby chicks will have a higher rate of dieting and the eggs getting too cold before hatching. I hope I answered some of your questions. If you need any more help just message me

 

[emmapal]

You are doing it right: moving is a HUGE stress on chickens. I've had birds who start laying in as little as 1-2 weeks after moving, and others who need closer to a month. Don't hurry them along, just keep things very calm. Put their feed and water near the door you want them to use, and sprinkle some treats right outside of it, a little farther away each day. They'll come around. Though chickens are never affectionate like mammals except on rare occasion.

 

[cocopop]

After your chickens become comfortable and get to know you, they will start laying. I started feeding my new hens veggies as well and started getting use to the place and feel healthy, they will start laying especially if they get sun light. You can feed mealworms out of your hands and they will start getting use to you. When you see them often and slowly touch them more and more they will warm up to you. Healthy and Happy hens start laying eggs.

 

[brock4872]

Winter time laying can be tricky depending on where you live. We are in North Central Texas n get a lot of sunshine BUT in the winter time I have solar lights to give my hens extra daytime even though they do free range. I bought the "helios" led string lights that are very bright n hung them in the chicken house that is pretty dark even when the sun is shining. These lights only come on at dusk n stay lit 6-8 hours. Which keeps the chickens daytime clock running so they don't slow down laying in winter. Any chicken being moved will need adjustment time n will need laying boxes, otherwise, they will find a place to lay n you will probably never find the eggs until next summer when you are moving things around. I prefer brown egg layers so I have dominikers, wyandottes, n rhode island reds that generally start laying eggs around 4 months old but don't become consistent quality layers until around 6 months. We do have a few Jersey Giants n Chinese Langshams that took a FULL YEAR to lay. Our khaki ducks lay EVERYDAY rain or shine. If it were JUST me I would only have a few ducks. Duck eggs are larger n creamier than chicken eggs n 1 duck egg = two chicken eggs in recipes.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I'm feeling the love for sure!

So the girls started free ranging yesterday, and loved it. I let them out around noon and they went in around 5. So I walked into their stall in the barn this morning..... peeked in the nest, not really expecting anything.... AND THERE WERE 2 EGGS!!! I'm over the moon! Thank you for all the support. I will put up pictures when I have the time, since I have no idea what kind of chickens they are.

Yay. Those fist eggs are exciting. I agree with everyone, chickens can be tricky especially at first. Just take it slow, it's a trail and error thing! Can't wait to see pics so we can help you figure out what breeds you have!