Was I sold lemons???

[ClumsyFarmer]

Longtime lurker, first time poster. I'm having issues with a few hens not laying and I'm wondering if perhaps I was sold some lemons. Here's some background: I recently purchased 6 one-year old hens--at least that is how they were advertised. I purchased three from one seller and three more from a separate seller. The original three have layed a total of maybe three eggs in 4+ weeks. The new flock, however, lays almost daily. There definitely has been some stress due to the establishing of pecking order, but they seem to have all calmed down significantly and generally forage together. The hens are all pastured for the majority of the day but share a coop at night.

I'm a first time chicken owner so I'm not always sure what to expect. The three non-layers are a black sexlink, a brahma, and an Orpington, all of whom I'd read to be prolific layers. Is it the weather (living in Utah and we've had generally great weather, with some rainy days interspersed with nights in mid to upper 40s)? I'm more inclined to think I was sold some lemons. I'm keeping hens for egg production so I'm unlikely to keep non-layers around for too long.

How long do I give them to acclimate before giving up?

 

[donrae]

My first thought is the possibility they're hiding eggs. You might try confining them to the coop and run for a few days and see what production is.

 

[aart]

Ditto the cooping them up....my notes:

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for 2-3 days can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. They can be confined to coop 24/7 for a few days to a week, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it.

Another thought....what breeds are they?
Some are more prolific layers and some individual birds might be more inclined to be stressed out with the new environment.

Could also be a chance that they non layer are getting ready to molt if they are a bit older than the the laying ones.

 

[ClumsyFarmer]

Thanks all for the advice. I have tried keeping them cooped, in fact when they first arrived they were not allowed to range for a week so you'd think they would have learned by now. The laying group seems to get it well enough and lays in the coop without exception. I've also scoured the yard and cannot a single egg.

I am willing to keep them penned up again if I must--i just detest the extra cleaning that has to happen when they can't free range.

Thanks

 

[aart]

Thanks all for the advice. I have tried keeping them cooped, in fact when they first arrived they were not allowed to range for a week so you'd think they would have learned by now. The laying group seems to get it well enough and lays in the coop without exception. I've also scoured the yard and cannot a single egg.

I am willing to keep them penned up again if I must--i just detest the extra cleaning that has to happen when they can't free range.

Thanks

Might be worth a try to coop them again, moving stress could have played a part the the first week.
..or just eat them and be done with it