Why are my Chickens not laying eggs?

[Oddyseous]

We don't have snakes or raccoons in my area.

No offense but that's hard to believe.

 

[NatJ]

Your eggs are being stolen 100%

I'm not sure they are laying any eggs to steal, based on how small and pale the combs are in the photos. A hen that is laying should have a comb that is bright red, and a bit bigger than what is shown.

Also, it seems unlikely that something could steal EVERY egg without missing a single one, but still not be seen by the chickens' owner.

 

[Oddyseous]

Well with only two hens it's not a whole lot of eggs, and I had to help a friend remove a 5 foot black snake who lived directly under his chicken coop eating all his eggs. So sure it could happen. Also, he lives in a suburb of Chicago which does have raccoons and most likely black snakes since they're here next door in Missouri as well.

With that said, if it was a health issue I'd be surprised considering it's been 2 years. Not saying it couldn't be a health issue, just responding best I can with what we know.

 

[eslyder92]

No offense but that's hard to believe.

Well its true we have never had Racoons in the area and we only have garder snakes and they don't steal eggs.

Well with only two hens it's not a whole lot of eggs, and I had to help a friend remove a 5 foot black snake who lived directly under his chicken coop eating all his eggs. So sure it could happen. Also, he lives in a suburb of Chicago which does have raccoons and most likely black snakes since they're here next door in Missouri as well.

With that said, if it was a health issue I'd be surprised considering it's been 2 years. Not saying it couldn't be a health issue, just responding best I can with what we know.

I have 4 hens 3 Lavender Orpingtons and an Easter Egger.

 

[getaclue]

I'm hopeful that they were on a starter and/or grower feed for the first 4 - 5 months of their lives. If they were put on layer feed right away, as chicks, that would account for a great deal of the issues you are describing. Another thing is the brand was not mentioned. There have been issues reported with certain feeds, in certain brands.

The feather damage I'm seeing, is not mud. It's either weak feathers from lack of nutrients, OR external parasites like mites/lice, OR feather picking from others in the flock, OR internal parasites (worms), OR it's ready to molt.

Even for an underdeveloped comb, it is way too pale, further indicating either a problem with nutrition, OR mites/lice, OR worms. I'd be more suspect of the latter 2 regarding the combs.

The first time a raccoon circled my coop, (before electric fence), mine stopped laying all at once. While you may not have a raccoon, that is why I was asking about cats, or other city type critters that might be intimidating them at night. Since they have never laid an egg, I'm not overly concerned that this might be the problem.

If this is a nutritional problem that occurred during their growth stages, the problem may never be resolved. As HollowOfWisps suggested, it could have been, or be a malabsorption problem.

I'd start with changing feed, dusting for external parasites, and worming for internal parasites. Make sure the nesting boxes, and roosts are cleaned, and de-bugged too. In 10 days, re-treat them for both external, and internal parasites, so it gets rid of any emerging nits.

 

[eslyder92]

I'm hopeful that they were on a starter and/or grower feed for the first 4 - 5 months of their lives. If they were put on layer feed right away, as chicks, that would account for a great deal of the issues you are describing. Another thing is the brand was not mentioned. There have been issues reported with certain feeds, in certain brands.

The feather damage I'm seeing, is not mud. It's either weak feathers from lack of nutrients, OR external parasites like mites/lice, OR feather picking from others in the flock, OR internal parasites (worms), OR it's ready to molt.

Even for an underdeveloped comb, it is way too pale, further indicating either a problem with nutrition, OR mites/lice, OR worms. I'd be more suspect of the latter 2 regarding the combs.

The first time a raccoon circled my coop, (before electric fence), mine stopped laying all at once. While you may not have a raccoon, that is why I was asking about cats, or other city type critters that might be intimidating them at night. Since they have never laid an egg, I'm not overly concerned that this might be the problem.

If this is a nutritional problem that occurred during their growth stages, the problem may never be resolved. As HollowOfWisps suggested, it could have been, or be a malabsorption problem.

I'd start with changing feed, dusting for external parasites, and worming for internal parasites. Make sure the nesting boxes, and roosts are cleaned, and de-bugged too. In 10 days, re-treat them for both external, and internal parasites, so it gets rid of any emerging nits.

They were on starter for the first 4.5 months as chicks. We used was Manna Pro Chicken Starter same as the layer feed we are using now. I have thought about finding a different brand please let me know.

There is no feather damage it 100% is caked mud from the other day that I have not cleaned off.

I do not think that it is either mites or worms because these they are treated for that regularly.

I do agree it might be some type of nutrional problem or the Feed.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Oddyseous]

 

[Oddyseous]

Honestly I'd look into a local vet, and, even though you've never seen raccoons or snakes, I'd still make sure they're all protected from them. One raccoon can slaughter all your chickens and fast. Other than that, sounds like you've been doing all the right things, which is why I'd recommend the vet.

However, if the chickens check-out just fine at the vet and the vet is confused. Look back into the raccoon/snake possibility.

 

[Kiki]

I have a quick question. Its my first time raising chickens so maybe I am doing something wrong.

My hens are going on 2 years old and I still have not had them lay one egg. They have access to grit and oyster shells as well as being on a diet that is suppose to aid in egg laying but I still have no eggs. My Buff Orpington was in the nesting box yesterday acting broody but there was no egg under her. What am I doing wrong?

What exactly have you been feeding them?

 

[Kiki]

They are hens I 100% I know that. This is a picture of one of them from this time last year View attachment 3152055

Do you have current pictures of your birds?