When!!

[DulcyDoll]

I have 5 hens that are 11 months old, and I have not received one egg from them, not a single one! 3 of them are EE mixes, 1 buff Orpington, and 1 RIR..All hatched at the same time, been eating egg maker for over 3 months. My rooster just passed away, and I am thinking if these girls don't start laying soon, I will wind up re-homing all of them and starting fresh.. They are healthy, well fed, free range for a few hours a day..

My question is, shouldn't they have started laying by now? Even myy guinea has been laying, through winter too!..
Are there some flocks that just won't lay?

 

[gritsar]

They're free ranging some right? Sounds like time for an easter egg hunt.

 

[DulcyDoll]

Yeah. They are free ranging, but don't get let out until after 12pm. The run is completely covered in netting..

 

[gritsar]

Free ranging besides the run? It doesn't matter if they aren't being let out until noon. I didn't get a single egg today before 3 PM. Laying times vary. I would still be searching for a hidden nest.

 

[pkeeler]

Lock them up. You will probably find eggs in the coop. Place golf balls in the nest boxes to encourage them to lay there. Don't let them free range until they start laying in the coop.

 

[DulcyDoll]

They have about 1/2 an acre (mostly woods) that they are able to free range for a few hours a day, then are locked back up in their run. I can't leave them out all the times because my neighbors dogs have killed many many of my birds. Now they get supervised free range time.

Hmm..guess it is time for the boots to come out..I'll go on an egg hunt tomorrow, and leave them locked in until they lay..if they lay..

Thanks

 

[gritsar]

Good luck. Do you have golf balls or other sorta-looks-like-an-egg objects in the nestboxes to give them the idea?

 

[DulcyDoll]

I'll have to go get some, I'll put it on my to do list for tomorrow.

 

[JP33]

Please post pictures when you find the motherload. I would love to see that stash!


...JP

 

[DulcyDoll]

lol..IF I find the stash. I'd love to see it too, at least I will know they are laying.. Unless there is a very happy fox/weasel/rat out there getting fresh eggs every day..