Cluck Cluck

[Barewolf]

I'm having a slight dilemma with my four Chickens. I bought them from a Farm 8 Weeks ago, and the Farmer checked them using 2 fingers and said they were almost ready to lay.



He said about 4-5 weeks. None of my hens have laid an egg yet though.


I've been providing grit in their food and separate grit on the floor. They are on pellets and I treat them with corn, bread, biscuits etc.


they are about 25 weeks old now.....I'm perplexed.
I do not have any grass in the coop, and ive been thinking that this is a reason why. I was thinking of spreading fast growing grass seed in parts of the coop, or perhaps buying rolls of grass every few weeks. but do chickens lay eggs without grass?


I know chickens need grass for the bright yolk but i don't think it's a necessity is it?

Any help appreciated.

[DaiNasty]

I believe it can be up to 6 months depending on the breed and the time of year.
Sounds like you should be getting close to the first few tiny eggs soon.

[Barewolf]

6 months? ouch

[martyh]

what about nesting ,have you got nesting boxes for them ?

[TheNorm]

So you went on an egg hunt on Easter Sunday?

[Barewolf]

Originally Posted by TheNorm

So you went on an egg hunt on Easter Sunday?

LOL. Yeah I did.

I have nesting boxes in the Chicken house, the last lot laid eggs in there and were happy enough.

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Barewolf

LOL. Yeah I did.

I have nesting boxes in the Chicken house, the last lot laid eggs in there and were happy enough.

just be patient ,hens can be very fussy as can all birds where they nest and lay .My gran had a few chickens and a couple of them didn't lay for about a year

[Barewolf]

a year? they stop laying after 3 years, im never going to get my omlette at this rate

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Barewolf

a year? they stop laying after 3 years, im never going to get my omlette at this rate

You have to remember that they aren't machines ,they aren't interested in laying your breakfast ,just laying eggs when they feel comfortable and secure in their surroundings

[Barewolf]

yep i know... i guess i'll just have to wait longer. My Dad mentioned pottery eggs, I might try buying a few to encourage them

[martyh]

Originally Posted by Barewolf

yep i know... i guess i'll just have to wait longer. My Dad mentioned pottery eggs, I might try buying a few to encourage them

they do work ,my grandad used them to good effect for his pidgeons

[joglynne]

I don't think they provide grass for battery hens and they still manage to lay eggs. Maybe it's a shame they don't need grass at least that would make battery cages a thing of the past.

Could you not consider adding a couple of older rescue hens to your flock which might speed up your production of eggs? Googling Rescue Hens brings up loads of sites across the country.

[Barewolf]

Originally Posted by joglynne

I don't think they provide grass for battery hens and they still manage to lay eggs. Maybe it's a shame they don't need grass at least that would make battery cages a thing of the past.

Could you not consider adding a couple of older rescue hens to your flock which might speed up your production of eggs? Googling Rescue Hens brings up loads of sites across the country.

I'd love to get a rescue hen, but im scared my 4 hens would pick on her.

Also the run itself is 12ft x 12ft, I'm not sure if 5 hens is ideal for tht size

[Halcyon]

What if you put a few eggs in there to give them ideas to start laying eggs.

[Barewolf]

tried that hal, they still didnt bother though.