midwife4wine Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 We purchased 3 point of lay pullets in July from a reputable seller. All seem healthy and happy in their Omlet GoUp with extended run, and their own garden to free range when we are about, which is most of the time. They are fed on layers pellets and grain. The calder ranger is laying one egg a day. The French Maran has not laid at all. The Aracuna laid 9 blue eggs over two weeks in September and promptly went broody. This broodiness has not broken. I have read several books which suggest that broodiness can be broken after about three weeks. This has gone on for three months. I am locking them out of the GoUp during daylight hours, except for 2 afternoons a week when I work part time and they are confined to their run and the GoUp. Any advice on breaking the broodiness? When is the French Maran likely to start laying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Our Marans started laying at 28 and 30 weeks old Midwife and of course with the short days yours may not now lay at all until late January. But that does make for a stronger hen, so it's not bad news. Unfortunately sometimes you will get a hen that never lays. It is rare, but does happen. We have a Wyandotte who is nearly 5 and has never laid, but she is very pretty with a nice nature so we have kept her. Think breaking the broodiness may need to wait until warmer weather. You could try the disorientation approach though. Move her to a totally different environment for a few hours and keep doing it. She will only brood where she feels safe. We had a persistent broody that broke when she was locked out of the coop in a violent thunderstorm. Problem was she then stopped eating and 3 months on we are still making up mash to tempt her back. So I don't suggest any loud noise techniques! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
