why are they not laying?

[12304]

aren`t chickens suppose to lay at 6 months? my chickens are over 6 months and are not laying. is there a way to tell if they are going to lay soon? is there anything i can do?

 

[Judy]

Somewhere around there but it varies, a lot. I've heard of their starting at a year. Somewhat breed dependent.

The comb will get red, they will start to squat (flatten and spread wings somewhat -- actually an acquiescence to the male to mate.) The vent will get a little looser looking and moist, at least once they start. Sometimes the legs get a little red hue, too, from hormones.

Not really. You can make sure they're healthy and not stressed, as by dogs barking through their fence or predators sneaking in at night. Check for lice and mites. Plenty of room. Golf balls or similar in the nests to encouraging laying there. But nothing will start them until their hormones do. And if they free range, be suspicious they are laying under a bush somewhere.