angeluk69 Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 I have 6 hens, have had them for 4 weeks. 1 laid her first egg after 4 days was super but stopped after 4 eggs (1 week) and has been a bit under the weather the second one started laying and we have consistantly had an egg almost every day The other 4 aren't laying... they are all on layers pellets, were wormed when I first got them and are generally very happy. My son does insist on giving them some corn each day (only a small beaker between all 6, but i've noticed that 2/3 of the girls take all of it for themselves). 2 have reddish combs and wattles, so I presume it won't be too long before they start, and the other two have got quite small pink combs. Could this simply be a case that I've been sold some chickens that are maybe I little younger than I first thought? Should I stop the corn treats until they do start laying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 The most likely explanation is that they are a bit younger than you thought - 'point of lay' is general, not exact, and some hens will lay earlier than others. If it's only a small amount of corn, I would let your son carry on - it's unlikely to be making much difference. Give it another couple of weeks and you'll have more eggs than you know what to do with! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeluk69 Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share Posted June 12, 2012 Thanks Olly, It sure is a learning curve with hens isn't it?? I am going to take them off the corn for a bit and I've noticed that the 2 main corn stealers are getting a bit plump, and afterall fat hens don't lay eggs so I hear. They've also had a bit of upheaval because we've been sorting out their WIR, so hopefully now thats all done they will settle and start laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeluk69 Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share Posted June 13, 2012 Would you believe it, my speckledy laid her first egg today a lovely little 36g brown one. Its so dinky, even against Margarets 48g blue one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudley1 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I am new to all this only having had hens since April. They were laying well but lately not so good maybe only one egg per day from three chickens. I have put this down to the weather, interested to read about stopping corn. I am giving them some corn and greens daily , they have layers pellets. Only give the treats in the afternoon. They do not free range because of Mr Fox who regulary visits in the day time. They are on a permanent site of bark chippings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyandRosie Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 I am in France and bought Ruby and Rosie from the market - my French isn't very good so I wasn't able to ask how old they were (well actually I was so excited about getting them that I forgot). One's comb is starting to turn red so how much longer until we get eggs? Is it within a couple of weeks or longer? Also it was interesting to read about the corn. The layers pellets we buy over here have HUGE HARD KERNELS OF CORN that my girls just turn their beaks up at as they are rock hard, and there is so much wastage. I was going to boil them up to soften them for them, but had never heard of the corn not being good for egg production (if I have read this correctly)? Should I stop feeding corn completely until they start laying? Sorry for so many questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
