Which ones are not laying?

[ray2310]

How can I determine which hens are not laying eggs? We have 18 Red Sex links. Last summer 15-17 eggs each day. This summer 6-9 per day. We have some younger hens that should start laying soon. Our plan is to cull our older hens. So how do I determine which hens are not laying?

Thanks,

Ray

 

[lottastuff9]

Some people say put a bit of food color on/barely in their vents and matching color on head...or they have the numbered bands on their legs that correspond to a certain color. In theory when they lay a bit of color would come out onto the egg. I don't see how you could do that considering you have 18 birds

If it doesn't work...at least you would have a rainbow of poop piles!

 

[Mrs. K]

The other option is spend the day at the coop and see who goes in and does the business. mk

 

[ekemily]

you could use a nest trap and then mark/band the ones that come in and actually lay an egg. Just remember to remove the egg before resetting your trap!

 

[sred98]

Just look at their combs and vents. Their combs should be a bright clear red if they are laying. If they aren't, it will be a pale pink. Their vents should be big and pink and moist looking. If they aren't laying, then it will just look like a regular chicken butt!

Shelly

 

[pgpoultry]

If I have doubts I keep one hen at a time in the coop until she does or does not lay, then ring her leg. Usually mine have laid by 10:00 a.m,

Sandie