- May 28, 2008
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I know this question gets asked all the time, but I need to ask again, why won't my chickens lay? I have a flock of mostly chanteclers. 2 sex links (approximately 18 months old, each laying one a day consistently), 3 chantecler hens (also 18 months old) and 11 chantecler pullets (approx. 8 months old).
Of the three older hens, used to lay around 12 eggs over two weeks, then go broody for a bit, then start laying again. As of this writing she hasn't layed in 2 months, and her two 'sisters' haven't layed, ever.
Of the 11 younger birds, 3 appear to be laying, and have been for over a month. At this point I am willing to believe that maybe most of them just aren't ready yet, but who knows.
I am just trying to figure out if I am doing something wrong, or maybe have a bad bunch or a bad breed.
All the birds live together in an insulated but well ventilated 6x8' coop, a decent size chicken yard (maybe 900 square feet), ready access to fresh water and feed (Nutrena layer pellets), access to oyster shell and grit. We also give them greens and vegetable scraps on a routine basis. A couple times a week I let them free range around the yard for a few hours in the evening.
Any thoughts?
Of the three older hens, used to lay around 12 eggs over two weeks, then go broody for a bit, then start laying again. As of this writing she hasn't layed in 2 months, and her two 'sisters' haven't layed, ever.
Of the 11 younger birds, 3 appear to be laying, and have been for over a month. At this point I am willing to believe that maybe most of them just aren't ready yet, but who knows.
I am just trying to figure out if I am doing something wrong, or maybe have a bad bunch or a bad breed.
All the birds live together in an insulated but well ventilated 6x8' coop, a decent size chicken yard (maybe 900 square feet), ready access to fresh water and feed (Nutrena layer pellets), access to oyster shell and grit. We also give them greens and vegetable scraps on a routine basis. A couple times a week I let them free range around the yard for a few hours in the evening.
Any thoughts?
