Chickens not laying

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Greetings from Yorkshire,

My husband arranged for us to get 4 chickens (1 each for him, me and the 2 kids) to keep in the garden. Not sure what breed/hybrid (general brown ones) and they all seem v healthy and active. Problem is, although we bought them as point of lay we've had them a fortnight plus and still had no eggs. Have we been sold duds, or are we just being impatient? Kids are desperate for our own eggs from Freckles, Gertrude, Mabel and 'Chicken with no Name' (husband refused to name his!).

Any thoughts?

Mad Cow :?
 
Hi, it depends on their age- if POL then you should expect eggs within the next few weeks- you need to be a bit more patient :) They will lay when ready- and it shouldn't be long :) When you see their faces going red then they shouldn't be far off.
regards, David :)
 
Oh David, that did make me laugh. I suppose you meant that their combs etc go red when they're ready to lay, but I got this picture of 4 little hens straining away and going red in the face. :lol:

Hi Madcow, my brood started laying a completely different ages, weeks apart so it obviously isn't a definite POL
 
Thanks guys, feel a bit better now. Will try and let you know when I get the first egg! :roll:
 
Hybrids tend to start laying at 20 - 24 weeks, they are normally sold as point of lay at around 18 weeks of age. The girls combs will redden just before they start laying. I would not worry about them not laying yet as long as they are healthy and happy they will soon start rewarding you with fresh eggs on a daily basis. Feed then layers pellets / meal and if you wish a handful of mixed corn in the evening.
 
Hi guys!

As promised I'm letting you know that we got our 1st egg yesterday!! Was so excited I forgot to post until today. It's v small, but still it's an egg. None today, but things are looking promising. The combs are definitely reddening, just as you all said, so the kids are now desperate to check the nestbox again - they were beginning to lose faith and were getting bored with not getting eggs.

Thanks for the advice and words of support.

MadCow :lol:
 
Exciting isn't it ? I still love seeing the newly laid eggs in the nest box, although I'm having to fight my girls for them at present as they want to sit on them.
 
Hi All, I read this with interest as I am having the same thing, I am new and not great at these forum things, and new to keeping chickens too. We got 3 hens 2wks ago and they were meant to be at POL. sure enough the first days we did get a few eggs a bit sporadically like 2 in one day then none, then one and another later on, as if maybe 2 out of 3 hens were laying. But after the first 4 days... nothing! :? I have called the place where igot them and they said they are just 'settling in' and suggested giving them a poultry drink full of extra vits etc to chill them out after their 'stressful' move, which I have given them now for a couple of days. If I hadnt had initial eggs I wouldn't be so worried! Also I have seen a few poos of a runny mustardy texture, not sure if this is normal on occasion, was told by my supplier that it wasn't an issue but can any one out there confirm? ... Apart from that, my 3 hens seem happy, and lively. At first they didnt go in their house at night on their own so we had to pick them up and put them in! Thankfully now they do. Anyone got any thoughts?
 
Hi, they will sometimes take a little while to settle down- some hens stop laying after a few days when moved to a new home- and especially if yours were POL - i wouldn't worry too much- they will lay when ready and it takes a little time to settle into a regular laying pattern. The poo is normal :)
Patience , patience :D :D :D I know it's exciting with your first eggs :lol:
regards, David :)
 
Thanks David, it's really helpful having another opinion, I'm well pleased to have discovered this site. Cheers, Karen :)
 
The runny mustard poos are normal as David says.

They come once every day or so. In the digestive system there are a pair of tubes called the caeca that allow fermentation of undigested food to take place. This is emptied and is a light brown (mustard colour) froth.

This can often be confused as diarrhea by the novice.
 
Hi, one of my girls has had very runny poos for a couple of days now (mustardy colour) and I have put it down to the move (got them a week ago) and adjusting to a new diet etc but today she really isn't too well.

She seemed ok when I saw her this morning but this afternoon we decided to let them free range for the first time and while the other two were more than happy to get out and about she was very hesitant and when she did come out she didn't forage and even looked like she was going to sleep at one point, then she went back into the coop and to bed - this was at 3.30pm and the others are still up and active now!

When she is pooing now it is just like water. Can anyone give me some advice on what could be the problem?
 
Unfortunately, it's not easy to say. There are a huge number of diseases that can cause this. Generally speaking if there is some underlying problem, the stress of the move is more likely to bring it on.
 
Thanks for the reply Tim, can you give me some idea of what might be causing this so that I know what else to look out for? She hasn't seemed stressed during this week but and I've had a feel of her crop (I think! I'm still not sure what I'm doing or if I'm feeling in the right place) and it seems less full than one of the others (although hers felt huge!) so I don't think it's an impacted crop.

She's gone very introverted and let us pick her up without any hint of resistance and although she's been very placid during the past week I don't think this is normal.

At this point should I be taking her to the vet? I'm also worried about the other two and whether they could be at risk. I'm also waiting for some flubenvet to be delivered so will worm ASAP!
 
Hi, I'm really sorry but it's just too general to even guess.... most diseases lead to them going down hill quickly - one moment fine, then they will sit hunched up, feathers puffed, have lots of liquid droppings and usually stop eating.

You could take her to a good poultry vet for tests but whether or not she will survive the stress of the journey...

You should separate her from the others so it doesn't spread and keep her in a warm / even temperature. A cage / dog crate with a blanket on three sides is ideal in a utility room.

Sorry I don't have ideas.... it's just 'very sick chicken' description to me. :-(
 
Letting you pick her up without any resistance is not a good sign but it's often not possible to say what the problem is. If she's not eating, her droppings are likely to be watery. You may need to take her to a vet if you can find a knowlegeable one.

Unlike Tim, I would not seperate her as she has already been living with them but it's up to you.
 
I seperated her from the others this morning just to be on the safe side but I have to admit I am worried that could upset things when (if!?) I re-introduce her. The others are behaving normally. She is not eating or drinking or moving very much, I'm looking into vets in my area and will try and take her this afternoon.

Thanks for your guidance, I'm really worried we're going to lose her.
 
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