Re: Hens not laying.
- From: "Mike Brickley" <mNObrickleySPAM@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 06:50:21 GMT
Most likely the hens have gone into a molt. This happens at 18-24 months
and usually every twelve months thereafter. It is a time of rebuilding
calcium for the hens. You didn't mention if the hens were getting a little
scraggily or have lost feathers. It takes 2-4 months for a molt on each
bird. They regrow feathers which takes more protein than eggs. They will
usually only do one thing grow feathers or lay eggs, but I've seen a few
eggs during a molt. Your Araucauna's will be starting to lay soon at 7-8
months so you'll be having eggs soon, nice green ones.
You'll probably notice that the legs on the RI hens are a little whiter than
when they first got started laying. The color will come back as they build
calcium back into their systems. Remember egg shells are calcium so that is
where it went.
"Father Jack Hackett" <frjack@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:04mb22hj0ut8u330bucshfif8b5nr4g2c6@xxxxxxxxxx
I am located in Northeastern Connecticut, In a old horse stall,
I have aproximateley 6 Rhode Island Reds that are about two years old
that have layed fined prior to this winter since they were about five
months old.
I added some Rainbow Layers(They are a Aracauna mix) that are about
seven months old now.
There is also one pure Aracuana hen and rooster, one barred rock
rooster, and one mixed baarred rock rooster. along with two Chinese
geese I hace had for about three years that basically run the barn.
Two keep them warm I use two 75 watt chill chaser bulbs suspended
about four feet from the floor 24 hours a day seven days a week unless
and until it gets a constant 50 degrees farenheit.
There is no place to hide the eggs, the nests are one, two three and
four feet high. I find straw missing from the nests occasionally.
They are eat layer pellets, leftover vegetables and clean fresh water
daily.
I found one blue egg about two weeks ago.
Is there something I am doing wrong here ?
Thank You
Jack
.
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