Will they lay?

[Jverdian]

I have 3 chickens, about 9.5 months old now. My spotted Sussex began laying in October, then stopped at abruptly in December. My Welsummer started laying in November, and has slowed to 2 per week. My Easter Egger has yet to lay an egg. I thought they laid through their first winter and I read that sussexes were winter layers. My girls are healthy, eat a balanced feed and have access to fresh water. When can I expect my Sussex to resume laying, my Welsummer to lay more, and my Easter Egger to commence? Are there chickens who just never lay, just like there are infertile people? I keep reading about people who are getting lots of eggs now. Could my girls be duds?

 

[Rietta]

I have three Easter Eggers who started laying in November. One lays pretty regular, One lays a couple times a week and one lays very strange eggs rarely. Maybe time of the year?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Lots of stuff will play into production. Mostly feeding and breeding. In my experiences speckled sussex, and welsummer aren't great layers. They lay here and there. Easter eggers can fall anywhere as they are a mixed breed. I've had great layers and duds in EE.

What do you feed? Feeding a higher protein ration can help young birds continue to grow and mature. Switching to a lower protein layer can delay maturity. Extra treats can dilute daily protein so your birds don't have enough to lay optimally.

This time of year many hens will lay at a decreased rate and pullets will take longer to begin laying. You best production will come soon. Generally March to July before most slow or stop due to the heat of summer.

 

[Peppercorngal]

All good questions there. I don't know where you are located, but winter is the time the hens slow their laying, some even stop. There is a drop in the hours of daylight and adding lights in the coop before sun up and a few hours after sun down will sometimes help. I have a Specked Sussex that follows me like a puppy dog, but to my knowledge she has never laid an egg. She doesn't stop running around long enough to sit in a nest! I have 29 hens and am only getting 17 eggs per day now. Many of my hens are molting and some have simply slowed their production. Weather (my chickens HATE the rain), temperature, and hours of light affect their laying. All should start again around March or April. Be patient. They are animals with hormones and they do what they do when they do it! Good luck!