[rugbyman]

Hi all
I posted a call for help about a week ago now as my chickens new chickens were not laying. I have now had them for 3 weeks and only 1 egg on the first morning of having them.
I changed all the bedding, food and water at the weekend also cleaned, sprayed for red mite and added the red mite powder into the nest boxes.
They are both happy in themselves scratching around eating anything they can find, have not given them any corn at the mo incase I was over feeding them on treats but am giving them kitchen scraps.
When I go to let them out in the morning, I have a quick peek in through a little window I have made and they are normally having a feed of the layer pellets. They are drinking as I put a mark on the water feeder and it has gone down.
Their eyes and feathers look healthy, the crowns are a pale pinky colour, which is how they have always been.
Please help me get them laying. The kids are driving me mad

[wolverine]

How old are they ?

[rugbyman]

I was sold them as POL but not given an age.

[GrannieAnnie]

Pale pinky colour sounds like they are still young rugbyman.  Some people start to sell them as young as 13 weeks and say they are at Point of Lay, but they can be 26 weeks before they start properly, even though you have had one egg.

What sort are they?  Hybrids or pure breeds?  Pure breeds can be even later!

[NormandyMary]

My red chook that Ive had for a good few weeks now, is still laying the teeniest eggs you can imagine, and she doesnt seem to have grown much herself. You can never really tell for sure what age chooks are when you get them, Ive had some that have immediately laid normal size eggs, so heaven only knows how old they were!

[GrannieAnnie]

I can tell people the day AND the date their hens were hatched! 

[NooNoosdad]

Hi,
I put a very similar question to the Forum a couple of days ago - Link http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=59529.0

I was sold three Black Rock Hens about a month ago and told that they were 15 weeks old and just a little off 'Point of Lay'. One of the Hens certainly appears slightly older due to her 'U' shape and well formed Red comb etc. On the way home from the breeder, she actually laid an egg in the Pet carrier. Since then, she has laid every day without fail. About two weeks later, one of the other Hens started to lay and has again laid consistently each day since then. The third Hen started to lay her first eggs last week (approx. 18 weeks old). In that week we had three eggs in total from her and have had no eggs since. I have to admit I was a bit suprised that she has suddenly stopped laying and like you, started to scrutinise Feeding, Health and Environment issues for my small flock fearing that maybe I was doing something wrong.
Basically, the advice I have been given is that the Hen will get into her stride eventually and to be a bit more patient.
Best of luck and I am sure things will sort themselves out shortly.

[rugbyman]

Thankyou all very much for your advise, I will be paitent and keep you all informed. 

[joyfull]

I have a sablepoot girlie who is about a year old and she hasn't ever laid an egg - still she is rather cute though so that more than makes up for it 

[carolbriar]

I have a Light Sussex who is about 45 weeks old and she hasn't laid yet either!