Chickens won't lay any eggs?

Hi Alex,

First how old are your hens? Hens lay the best during their first year, after that egg production tends to drop. Some hens stop laying completely around 4-5 years of age. Many poultry keepers get rid of their birds when egg production drops so maybe that is a possibility of why your birds were sold. (I have had a hen of eight years lay for me, but it was only a few eggs per month and she was a game hen, as non production breeds in my experience tend to lay further into the years)

Also, when changing homes it is common for hens to take some time off of laying. If they are older 2+ they can take a several months to get going. (My 1.5-year Polish hen took about 6 months to lay her first egg, granted she experienced a climate change, winter, and so forth.)

The signs of the red comb/wattles means the birds are matured, and healthy. This however doesn’t mean that the bird cannot be aged.

There really isn’t a way to provoke a chicken into laying eggs. The only affect a rooster can have on egg production is a decline in it, as if there isn’t enough hens he can over mate and cause stress to the hens, and then less eggs. You only need a rooster if you want to hatch out chicks.

If you know your chickens are younger, or (I would suggest not to give up quite yet on them) there are a few other things you can check.

1...their vent (where they lay eggs). Look at the condition of the vent, a bird that is laying will show it, as their vent will be wide and about 2-3 fingures in width. A bird that isn’t laying will have a small and round hole.

2...check around the yard, and listen for any after egg laying noises. Birds don’t always lay in their nest, and if your girls are free-ranging the eggs could be anywhere.

3...look at the chickens. Chickens can get into the habit of eating eggs. So check to see if any egg is on their beak, faces, or elsewhere.

4...keep an eye out for predators, snakes love to swallow down eggs.

I suggest putting some golf balls or fake eggs into the nests to encourage them to lay inside the nesting boxes.

Also, if your birds are molting (losing/regrowing their feathers), or going through extreme temperatures, experiancing a climate change from their old home, or are dealing with a change in the seasons, this can throw of their bodys laying system.

Make sure that you are giving them plenty of egg laying pellets (scratch can be on the side), fresh veggies, grit (if they are wire cage kept) and oyster shells (if not free-ranging for veggies) and other snacks.

Hope you get some eggs soon, and best wishes,

Jamie/Rhode Runner

A chicken lays egg certainly. this is the fowl equivalent of you ovulating. You produce eggs with no need hormones or sexual intercourse. The hens have had no touch with a male, so their eggs are sterile and could in no way hatch. in the event that they were fertilised the yolk may be the placenta feeding the embryo. Very nutritious and an excellent source of protein.

Introduce a rooster to your hens.

-- PA

that chicken disrespected the "secret society" as a punishment it can no longer reproduce, foolish chciken

HAHAHAHAHA

Dude...NEVER PURCHASE CHICKENS!!! THEY HAVE HIV!

AWWWWW..... SORRY:(