I have just acquired 60 former barn hens, 18 months old, kept under light. They are now free rangers and have begun moulting. I have had them two months now. When I got them they were still laying but now they aren't laying at all. How long will it be before they start laying again?
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Re: Keeping chickens under light
Wed, April 2, 2008 - 10:41 PMSally,
I'm no expert but at 18 months, these gals are in their prime. It is past the spring equinox so they should be laying. I bet you they are hiding a nest or nests some place.
Dougfir
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Re: Keeping chickens under light
Thu, April 3, 2008 - 7:19 AMIf they're molting, they won't lay until they're through the process. They can't produce feathers and eggs at the same time, it's too much. Laying an egg takes a lot out of their bodies.
You can give them a little extra lean protein to get through the molting easier, maybe even faster. It's always good to have free choice oyster shell for calcium, too. If you've got all that out there, it's just a matter of waiting for the feathers to grow in.
Congratulations on giving them a fresh exciting new environment! -
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Re: Keeping chickens under light
Thu, April 3, 2008 - 2:56 PMI have been giving them extra oyster shell.
I was wondering if I should move them back onto 'rearer pellets' rather than 'layers pellets' to help get them into prime condition. What do you think? -
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Re: Keeping chickens under light
Thu, April 3, 2008 - 3:04 PMI dunno about feeds. If it's higher in protein, maybe?
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