Why Aren't My Chickens Laying? Here Are Your Answers!

[BSBfshsbm]

Glad to hear that many people have chickens that are laying (or not laying) at different ages/breeds. I've never raised chickens before and I got my first day old chicks on May 18th. I have one chicken that is a Plymouth Rock and four that are mixed breeds (Rhode Island Reds and white mixes). Of the five, only one of the mixed breed, whom I named Polly, is laying and has been laying for one month now. So what is the problem with the others, I ask. I don't know and it looks as if only Mother Nature (the good Lord) really knows. I guess I won't worry until next May. If no eggs by then, maybe I should give up the farm. Thanks ahead of time for any advice that's coming.

 

[Cass]

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First

Second, don't give up the farm. Chickens lay when chickens get good and darn ready to lay.

The problem with the others is they aren't on the same schedule as the one that is laying. They will lay, health problems aside. (and health problems that stop laying are plentiful) However your girls are still young and the light is waning. I would give them til May to prove themselves, then I would make a lot of soup if they don't lay and start over.

Do you have a roo? You could hatch your own if you do and save some money. You said one of them is laying.

How red are their faces? Until they get really red faces they aren't mature enough to lay. (And no fair painting them red trying to trick them into laying)

 

[cluck-darth-peep]

Hi, Mine were born on June 20, 2011. Am I counting weeks from June 20 to July 20, August 20 etc. or am I counting actually weeks? MIne are not laying, and I am sad.

 

[Cass]

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You chickens aren't 5 months yet. While some will say 16 weeks is when they start laying, 22 - 25 is more realistic. How red are their faces? They have to look like adult chickens (very red faces and combs) to act like adult chickens (lay eggs).

Don't be sad, they will lay when they are ready. Have you tried rattling a wooden spoon around in a big pot and calling "here chicky chicky"? Might spur them to uncross their legs and either lay an egg or run away from home, so you don't have to feed them any more.

 

[cluck-darth-peep]

The RIR, Golden Buff, and Speckled Sussex have very red combs and wattles, getting larger. The Barred Rock is still pale to pink. Do you count months or actual weeks? Like June 20 to July 20...or the actual weeks to get their age?

 

[cluck-darth-peep]

I have not used the wooden spoon or pot, but I did show them an ax and all they did was put their waddle up at me. I then showed them a box of stuffing, and, got the same comb in the air looks from them.

 

[oreochip]

Frustration is setting in. 3 Brahma hens (1.5 years old) that were laying consistently until the super hot temps of the Texas summer. Now we get nothing. Two months of nothing. I have introduced oyster shell. We feed Layena crumbles. Occasional treats of fresh veggies. Fresh water in several locations inside the run and in the yard. They free range all day and keep the bugs away. But other than bug control, they are useless.

I am at a decision making point. I cannot justify paying the electric bill to heat the run through the winter for non laying hens. I am thinking of giving them away and starting new in the spring.

Any thoughts or input from y'all would be appreciated.

 

[Cass]

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Actual weeks from hatching for age.

Are they interested in the nest box? Are they squatting when you reach to pet them?

 

[Cass]

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Laffin'....I'll have to remember those tricks...The pot and spoon worked for me a while ago....now I am dealing with heavy molt, stress from over breeding and broody hormones. I hope eggs are on sale this week at the market.

 

[Cass]

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Why are you even considering heating the coop for winter in TX? I live in Upstate NY and no one up here heats coops for the winter and it's a LOT colder here.

Right now it is getting below 32 at night and my birds are still alive in the morning. My coop is draft free, but with lots of under eves ventalation to get the smell out.

If you let the chickens adjust to the decreased temps they do fine. My neighbor just shut off the supplemental heat to her 10 week old chicks. The 7 of them will keep each other warm AND they all are wearing a down coat.

Personally my chickens are a hobby. I have spent THOUSANDS on other hobbies in the past and I never got one single "free" meal from them. So I vote you keep them, knowing they lay eggs and you won't have to wait as long in the spring for eggs again as you would if you started again from chicks. How much is your feed bill compared to buying new chicks and raising them to laying age? The ones you have may start laying again soon....you just never know with these crazy birds.