Cluck Cluck
 

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.

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

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.

:)

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

6 months? ouch

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

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

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

So you went on an egg hunt on Easter Sunday? :D

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

LOL. Yeah I did.

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

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

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

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

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

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

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

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

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

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

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

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

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.

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

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

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

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

Re: Cluck Cluck
 

tried that hal, they still didnt bother though.