Ugh no eggs yet!

[Cheeky Chick]

I have 11 hens-mix of breeds (RIR, BR, RP, BCM, EE) they are just about 20 weeks old (except for the Marans that are almost a year) and Nobody is laying anything. The Marans laid 1 egg each when they arrived (about 2 months ago) then had a moult, so no eggs since then. Now the little girls are all grown up, and nothing. They normally free range, but since much of my yard is heavy brush and woods, I have been keeping them in their pen for the last week (I figured they may have been laying somewhere else) and nothing. They get layer feed, scratch, vegetables/fruits and oyster shell calcium.

I love them and all-but heck, we got chickens in the first place for some eggs! What could I be doing wrong?

 

[thebanthams]

Put a fake egg or golf balls in the nest , they will get the idea!. Can you keep them in the pen? You said they free range, and I am sure they are laying eggs somewhere else ! Keep them locked up in pen for a week you will have lots of eggs! what youre feeding them is fine. its the free ranging is the problem !!

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Yeah, I've kept them penned for a week now, and still nothing.

They're all big and happy, eating well, just not doing anything in the egg department. I have golfballs in the nestboxes, but maybe I should try something more egg-shaped? I'm really really surprised at the production red-she's looked like a full grown hen for probably 4 weeks now.

 

[thebanthams]

ages varies when they lay their first egg.

 

[PeachygirlGA]

Mine started laying at 26 weeks! I'm still waiting on 2 little ones that are about 20 weeks. Patience, my friend!

 

[Judy]

Be careful they don't get so much scratch and veggies that it reduces their total protein intake; most scratch formulas are largely corn and much lower in protein than layer.

The golf balls should be fine. It's what I use -- and so do a whole lot of other folks on here. I've watched broody hens turn them and tuck them underneath themselves oh so gently, just like eggs.

Really, 20 weeks is a general starting point. I've had an odd one start around 18 weeks but most started after 20 weeks -- and mine are all hatchery birds (or homemade mixes) which often lay a little earlier than better quality breeder birds. My EE's were the last to start, more like 26 or 28 weeks.

 

[triciawhite]

well, I am having the same problem you are!! My hens are 32 weeks old and they are not laying either!!! I am stumped about this too. I have also placed golf balls in the nesting boxes, and tried locking them up in the coup untill noon!!! I was told they like to lay their eggs between early morning and noon. I have even placed a video camera to see if they are eating their eggs, and they are not. I checked their vents and no sign of egg laying. if I cain't have eggs for breakfast, at least I can have dinner!!!!!

 

[jahphotogal]

We're waiting here too - oldest three (all Wyandottes) are 22 weeks or so. Gave them golf balls today. They do free range quite a bit including into spots I can't get to, so it's possible they're already laying. I'll keep them in for a few days and see what happens!

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Maybe you guys are right-I'll wait for the little girls to start-BUT-what about my 3BCM's that haven't laid in 2 months? I'm certain their molt is over.

Nobody wants to give up those eggs!!

 

[thebanthams]

http://www.tillysnest.com/2012/09/got-eggs-top-ten-reasons-for-decline-in.html Check this website !