My family has been very happy to have four out of five hens laying, starting in July, but since this is a new endeavor for us we have a couple of questions. Why isn't our americauna laying? She's the one we were most excited about and is the oldest and biggest. Also, our small production red (is this a pullet?) was the first and most consistent layer until a few days ago. Now she hardly leaves the box. My husband assumed she was sick or dehydrated and went out to get pedialyte, but isn't this just broody behavior? Any ideas would be most helpful!
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6-7 is a little beyond what is 'normal' for first laying, but again this summer is hotter than usual on top of a weird weather year anyway. The weather is going to break in about 2 weeks, and the wading pool should help the girls. Many of them do like misters also. A friend - years back - used to turn her hose on mist on her girls and they would just junker down, spread their wings and enjoy the 'rain' The mister is easier :-) You can even put it on a timer for the hottest part of the day.
My Americauna also took a long time before she finally started laying. I believe she was 7 months old and was the last of our flock to do so. The heat will also decrease egg production, so I assume the stress of it all will also prolong the period before they start laying. A simple (and cheap) cobra mister will help keep chickens cool in addition to what you and Catherine mentioned.
You did not say how old your girls are. Rachel or others may have additional ideas as they currently have hens and I do not, but I'm guessing your "red" may be stressed by the heat. Do you have a wading pool for the girls?
Theresa MarPre > Catherine, The Herb LadyAugust 23, 2011 at 4:57pm
Thanks Catherine. They are 6-7 months old. I just put out a couple of wading pools today after reading that others are doing that last night. We used to run water in the hottest part of the day so that it pooled up and they would wade in it and drink, but I don't think it was enough. Hope they can recover from this awful heat!
Replies
Hi Theresa and David,
6-7 is a little beyond what is 'normal' for first laying, but again this summer is hotter than usual on top of a weird weather year anyway. The weather is going to break in about 2 weeks, and the wading pool should help the girls. Many of them do like misters also. A friend - years back - used to turn her hose on mist on her girls and they would just junker down, spread their wings and enjoy the 'rain' The mister is easier :-) You can even put it on a timer for the hottest part of the day.
Theresa,
My Americauna also took a long time before she finally started laying. I believe she was 7 months old and was the last of our flock to do so. The heat will also decrease egg production, so I assume the stress of it all will also prolong the period before they start laying. A simple (and cheap) cobra mister will help keep chickens cool in addition to what you and Catherine mentioned.
Hi Theresa,
You did not say how old your girls are. Rachel or others may have additional ideas as they currently have hens and I do not, but I'm guessing your "red" may be stressed by the heat. Do you have a wading pool for the girls?