Thing is with the shortening days, that is acting against you. I would expect eggs, about a month after the shortest day. I had pullets last fall, that were so close to laying in November, but did not lay until nearly the end of January.
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I just got my chickens yesterday. They were starting to lay. Will moving them disturb them from laying?I have five 29-week old Black Australorp hens and still no sign of an egg from any of them! They have been on layers pellets since 23 weeks and appear happy and healthy. I am starting to wonder if the breeder wasn't honest about heir date of birth, but I don't know how to age them. Here is a picture of them 3 days ago. What can I do to kickstart things?
(PS I live in Johannesburg South Africa)
Very possible. Chickens don't like change and will take a while to adjust. No way you can help it since you just got them. You will likely get fewer eggs for a few days to a week.I just got my chickens yesterday. They were starting to lay. Will moving them disturb them from laying?
Some people use artificial light to extend the daylight hours. The days getting longer is a sign Spring is here so it is time to start laying. I don't like to do this because you can cause them to stop laying and molt if the light suddenly stops and makes them think the days are getting shorter again. But many people play with the lights.What can I do to kickstart things?
One of my hens has started to squat when I stroke her on the back, so maybe things are changing!As long as they are healthy and getting good quality food, they will lay when they are ready. You can't hurry it.
One thing to look for is when a hen squats in front of you. It is a very obvious behavior. She is indicating that she is about ready to go and will start laying in a week or so.
I feed all my chickens, chick starter! I used to feed my hens a layer pellets, but they got to wasting it and would lay less during winter and lower body condition. So I feed chick starter year round to everything.I have five 29-week old Black Australorp hens and still no sign of an egg from any of them! They have been on layers pellets since 23 weeks and appear happy and healthy. I am starting to wonder if the breeder wasn't honest about heir date of birth, but I don't know how to age them. Here is a picture of them 3 days ago. What can I do to kickstart things?
(PS I live in Johannesburg South Africa)
One of my girls laid her first egg yesterday! She started squatting when I stroked her about a week ago. Unfortunately she also broke the egg, but at least we're turning a corner. She is 30 weeks and 3 days old. Nothing from the other 4 yet, although one of the others is also squatting.I have five 29-week old Black Australorp hens and still no sign of an egg from any of them! They have been on layers pellets since 23 weeks and appear happy and healthy. I am starting to wonder if the breeder wasn't honest about heir date of birth, but I don't know how to age them. Here is a picture of them 3 days ago. What can I do to kickstart things?
(PS I live in Johannesburg South Africa)
Sorry you lost the egg. At least you know they are starting.One of my girls laid her first egg yesterday! She started squatting when I stroked her about a week ago. Unfortunately she also broke the egg, but at least we're turning a corner. She is 30 weeks and 3 days old. Nothing from the other 4 yet, although one of the others is also squatting.
Thanks TooCheepSorry you lost the egg. At least you know they are starting.
Brand new layers can have glitches as they start laying. Was it thin-shelled, simply laid in a place that would let the egg break, or possibly broken by the pullet?
-A single thin-shelled egg is not good, but if their system straightens out, no problem.
-Pullets laying in a bad location at first generally quickly figure out what "that feeling" is and go to the nests to lay.
-Pullets explicitly pecking and eating eggs is a more serious problem and needs to be addressed ASAP.