Why Aren't My Girls Laying?!

[FreedomFarm13]

Ok, wow! Lots of responses, lol. First of all, I check the entire yard every day to see if anyone is not following proper egg laying protocol. Haven't found any. Second, I don't like the idea of using artificial light to encourage laying because I believe they'll lay when they're ready to and I don't want to pressure them, even though I desperately want eggs. And, their diet is a custom mix that I make that consists of buckwheat, barley, wheat, oats, some cornmeal every once in a while, molasses, flax meal, sprouts during winter, scrambled eggs every other day, veggies if I've got them, fruit (fresh and dried), sometimes I pour some milk in if it's getting close to souring and I don't think we'll drink it in time, crushed egg shells once a week, and whatever else I've got lying around that I think they'll like. And once my garden is up and running this year, they'll be getting garden scraps as well. Oh, almost forgot! I also have been keeping fake eggs (ceramic ones) in the nesting boxes to encourage the new girls to lay in there. So, I don't know. Seems like any of the problems you all foresaw aren't applicable, unless I want to do artificial light, which I have been seriously considering. I just don't like the idea of pressuring them, or the idea of having electricity running to the coop that could cause a fire. And I'd have to run an extension cord (a LONG one) so that makes me nervous as well. I don't know what to do...How effective is using the artificial light? How quickly would it get them to start laying? Figure I should know as much as possible to make an informed decision about it. Thanks for all your responses, everyone! I'm learning a bunch!

 

[aart]

Ok, wow! Lots of responses, lol. First of all, I check the entire yard every day to see if anyone is not following proper egg laying protocol. Haven't found any. Second, I don't like the idea of using artificial light to encourage laying because I believe they'll lay when they're ready to and I don't want to pressure them, even though I desperately want eggs. And, their diet is a custom mix that I make that consists of buckwheat, barley, wheat, oats, some cornmeal every once in a while, molasses, flax meal, sprouts during winter, scrambled eggs every other day, veggies if I've got them, fruit (fresh and dried), sometimes I pour some milk in if it's getting close to souring and I don't think we'll drink it in time, crushed egg shells once a week, and whatever else I've got lying around that I think they'll like. And once my garden is up and running this year, they'll be getting garden scraps as well. Oh, almost forgot! I also have been keeping fake eggs (ceramic ones) in the nesting boxes to encourage the new girls to lay in there. So, I don't know. Seems like any of the problems you all foresaw aren't applicable, unless I want to do artificial light, which I have been seriously considering. I just don't like the idea of pressuring them, or the idea of having electricity running to the coop that could cause a fire. And I'd have to run an extension cord (a LONG one) so that makes me nervous as well. I don't know what to do...How effective is using the artificial light? How quickly would it get them to start laying? Figure I should know as much as possible to make an informed decision about it. Thanks for all your responses, everyone! I'm learning a bunch!

Hard to know if your feed is providing what they need,
especially vitamins/minerals/amino acids,
so production could be affected.
Nutrition is #1

Locking them up is the best way to know for sure,
not finding any egg/nests does not mean they aren't there.

 

[FreedomFarm13]

Ok, thanks, @aart! I will lock them up and see what happens!

 

[FreedomFarm13]

So, I decided I should be a little more specific on their diet. I give them flax meal because it's got Omega-3 fatty acids in it, which they need for their eggs, and they have free choice oyster shell in addition to the egg shells I sometimes put in their feed for calcium (also for egg laying), they get apple cider vinegar in their water to support their immune systems and keep bacteria and algae out of their waterers, I give them garlic powder (forgot to mention it before) because it supports immune health, respiratory health, is a natural wormer and keeps their manure smell down, I give them molasses because it contains iron, copper, manganese, potassium, and calcium and helps flush toxins out of their systems, and I give them yogurt once a week to keep the levels of good bacteria in their digestive systems high. I also choose what veggies and fruits to feed them based on what other vitamins I think they need. I give them dried cranberries a lot because they love them and they have antioxidants, and bananas for extra potassium, and they're big fans of squash, and if I feel like they need more of a certain vitamin, I give them food that has that in it. But I make sure they have what they need by providing different sources for different vitamins and minerals on a rotating schedule so they never go too long without getting some of that vitamin. I have done TONS of research on poultry nutrition and diet and natural remedies and supplements, and I would never have attempted to feed them a diet I made up without first doing my research, because I wouldn't want to cause them any problems, and I just implemented this diet about a month or two ago, so I'm still working out a few kinks, but I think so far they are enjoying it and I'm enjoying knowing EXACTLY what my chickens are eating and EXACTLY how much of every vitamin and mineral and food they are getting, which makes me feel better than when I was just feeding commercial feed. I'm not trying to be defensive or anything, I promise, I just felt like I should clarify my diet plan so you would know that I'm doing my best to ensure that they have the most well balanced diet I can give them. Ok, I'm done now

 

[theoldchick]

What about other varmints eating the eggs before you get to them? Dogs, rats, snakes, opossums, raccoons, foxes come to mind.

 

[FreedomFarm13]

I don't think so....I live in town, and my dog is out there with them all day while they're out for predator protection, and I check for eggs every day right before I put them up for the night, so I don't really think any critters could be getting to the eggs before I find them. Like @aart suggested, though, I'm going to keep everyone in the coop for about 3 days to make sure there isn't anyone else laying.

 

[FreedomFarm13]

I just went out and took some pictures. Here's all the girls I expect to start laying soon...

Freya, SLW, 9.5 months old:


Nora, blue Ameraucana, 9.5 months old:


Phoebe, Splash Laced Red Wyandotte, 21 weeks old:


aaaaand Gwen, Black Copper Marans, 19 weeks old:


I don't know why Nora's comb looks so light today...it usually is just as red as her sister, Cora's, who is already laying, but today is kinda cold and rainy, so that could have something to do with it...and I only included Gwen because her comb is getting quite red and I heard that BCMs can start pretty early, especially hatchery birds, which she is. All of these girls have their pelvic bones at least two fingers apart, and all are bulking up and getting more talkative. Any thoughts?

 

[birdwrangler057]

Not a heat lamp, just a white light for 14 hours of 'daylight' to stimulate hormones.

Oh, I still have never used that and my chickens layed. And my chickens started late, all I had to do was add proteins to their diet.