Chickens who aren't laying

[Kari Judith]

I have a couple barred rock hens who are a year old. They were laying before Christmas but now with the warmer weather and longer daylight hours, they aren't laying. Should I get rid of them or wait some more. Not sure if I want to keep them as they are also mean to the rest of the flock.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you don't enjoy them, I'd rehome them regardless of the laying issue. Any other birds in your flock having issues coming back into lay?

 

[Kari Judith]

If you don't enjoy them, I'd rehome them regardless of the laying issue. Any other birds in your flock having issues coming back into lay?

no, the orpingtons are laying. just the barred rocks aren't. Their combs are a bright red so one would think they would be laying

 

[rosemarythyme]

Did you supplement light through winter?

 

[Kari Judith]

Did you supplement light through winter?

we did have the chicken coop lights on for 12 hours during the winter. The girls aren't moulting either. Before Christmas they were fairly regular with their laying but when it got colder they stopped, as did the Orpingtons. The Orpingtons are laying now, and one is broody now too. (the same hen went broody and hatched 4 chicks during the cold snap).

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hmm seems weird that only the Rocks aren't laying then. My guess is they'll likely start laying again "soon" since they're still relatively young but impossible to say for sure.

 

[NatJ]

no, the orpingtons are laying. just the barred rocks aren't. Their combs are a bright red so one would think they would be laying

Could the Rocks be hiding their eggs somewhere?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Could the Rocks be hiding their eggs somewhere?

I didn't even think of asking if they free ranged.

 

[NatJ]

I didn't even think of asking if they free ranged.

I have sometimes found eggs in a nest in the corner of a coop, with bedding scratched over the top, that had been accumulating for a while before I found them.

 

[Kari Judith]

Could the Rocks be hiding their eggs somewhere?

I can't find any hiding spots, and they aren't out long for their play time out of the run/loft. I also don't find evidence of any eggs being eaten.