We were given chickens, and this is our first time. We have had them for a month or so, and we haven't seen an egg. There are 5 hens, and they are fed laying mash and scratch.Do we need a rooster? I have read some other answers and will put my light on a timer. We have no idea what breed they are. Two of them are tan with a brown head, and 3 are black. All ideas appreciated.

-- Thomas Beaver from Michigan (tbeaver1@quixnet.net), January 14, 2002

Answers

14 hours of light would help....but what do you know about these chickens? Are they old enough to lay? Too old to lay?

-- Sue (sulandherb@aol.com), January 14, 2002.

Hi Thomas! Do you know how old the hens are? Most won't start laying until they are 5 to 6 months old. You do not need a rooster for eggs, (just for fertile eggs.) There was a good site posted here awhile back that shows breeds of chickens. Maybe someone remembers where it is. I will look for it too. Sometimes chickens stop laying for awhile when they are moved, but I would think that a month would be a bit long. Is their coop heated? They might be used to a heated one. Sounds like you are doing fine with the feed and light. You will love the chickens, they are so much fun to watch! Best of luck!

-- cowgirlone (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), January 14, 2002.

Thomas, I am also from chilly Michigan and I provide extra light, at least 14 hours, and warm water twice a day. I get a dozen eggs most days from 24- 2 year old hens. If you just started with your light, I would think you would see some results soon unless they are too old or too young to lay.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), January 14, 2002.

I know this might sound silly, but make sure that you are giving them enough food and water. I unfortunately made this mistake when I was thirteen year old with my first chickens. (I feel REALLY guilty about this now. I just didn't know that I wasn't giving them enough, and had no one around to show me otherwise.) Anyway, I gave them to my uncle, who knew how much to feed, allowed them to free range, and they started laying right away.

-- clove (clovis97@Yahoo.com), January 14, 2002.

Do they crow by any chance?

-- charlie (charliesap@pldi.net), January 15, 2002.

If they are hens and not real old, they'll lay. Old hens will lay, but not regularly. Most breeds will start laying between 4-6 months old.

If the hens don't feel safe, they will hide the eggs. Have you checked around your property.

Scratch is like candy; feed it just as a treat.

I keep feed and water available at all times.

My hens lay all year around with no added light or heat. Some feel the addition of lights are needed; have it come on early in the morning.

My birds free range during the day. Are your birds getting any sunshine.

Hens will lay eggs without a rooster. You need a rooster to fertilize the hens if you want the hens to hatch chicks out of the eggs.

Hope this helps.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002.

www.feathersite.com www.nevadatea.com/chicken 2 eggcellent chicken sites (also listen to Rogo, she has excellent advise backed by experience)

Feed these gals at most a small handful of scrarch a day.

Buy a good quality laying feed ~1/4# per bird per day (make it available free choice) LOTS of CLEAN water, dry and wind-free shelter, and your birds (if mature, not-past-their-prime hens) will reward you with the best tasting eggs you have ever had.

The birds need 14 hours of light to stimulate the pituitary gland for hormone stimulation for ovulation. (translation-give 'em lots of light! :o} )

-- Jim NE KY (jedeweese@earthlink.net), January 15, 2002.

Let me say this slightly off topic why is that everyone is so convinced of the necessity of 14 hours of light for egg production? What is the basis? For years my family has had chickens lay throughout the winter we are in KY which has all four distinct seasons. Some flocks did better than others all had decreased production compared to spring and summer, but they did lay without the help of artificial light. I'm not saying that 14 hours of light doesn't give optimum results but I want to know what source/s say it is necessary. I believe that KY receives less than 14 hours per day in winter, please corect me if I'm wrong. I feel the greatest asset to look for in a chicken flock is one that comes from a flock known to lay in winter. Our present flock are bantam aracaunas that we got from Marti poultry and they atre the absolute best quality. While a lot of people herald Murray McMurray, and I'll admit they offer an enormous variety, we've only had disappoinment with their birds. Besides do we want to always go to the company with the best pictures in their catalog, help out the little companies, especially with the possibility of postal regs the small companies and local producers may end up being the only source.

-- Adam (possumdog@yahoo.com), January 15, 2002.