We have 18 chickens ( Golden and the Silver Wyandotte, Black Australorp, Jersey Giants). These ladies have been free range on our farm for a long time. Laying where they please, hay, in weeds, barn loft, flower beds etc.
We decided to build a hen house with fenced lot, nice nests, with roost poles and all. They love the hen house, and roost in it every night, but not one of the ladies are laying eggs now, or even getting close to the built nests! IF they start to lay again how do I get them to use the nests. They were laying like crazy before. Some of my hens are getting older, going on maybe 3 years old. Will they quit or slow down with age? I know, I have! LOL We have always fed them corn, laying mash, grit. Last winter they laid all winter long. Now we are buying eggs from the store! YUK Please help!
Sweet_Pea
chickens and new nests
Sweetpea, chickens usually stop laying for a while when introduced to a new enviroment. I wouldn't worry about them not laying. In my experience, it could take 2-3 weeks sometimes for them to start laying again.
kathy
I have read that they slow down after 2 years. I think that I have had my two surviving leghorn hens about two years or more. They are still laying regularly, other than the times that they moved their spots because of rat-snakes taking their eggs along with my fake eggs. I found about 30 eggs under my boat seat last year, busted them all and then they went back to the hen house. Along with what Kathy said about new environments, I also read that they will stop for awhile when they are stressed. Take care,
Mike
We put golf balls in the nesting boxes....it worked!!
Good luck!!
Hi Sweet_Pea! Kathy, and Mike both are definitly right. The best way to start your hens to laying in their new nests is to shut them up in the hen house for 2-3 days. That way they will not be able to lay where they please, and will get used to the idea of laying in their new beautiful nests. Good luck. Haystack