Raising chickens in Iowa

[Savnakk]

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I am fairly new to raising chickens. I have five 4 month old pullets (buff American game cross) 1 mama hen (buff orp) and a Rooster. I know the pullets won't lay yet but the mama hen should be and she isn't. I have a red heat lamp on 24/7 and they are getting fed layer feed. Made the nesting boxes as well. They have a pretty big coop with a huge perch and pine mulch/shavings as the litter. Any ideas on how to get her to lay? Iowa is cold and we have our first snow but the buff orp should lay all winter (or so I read). Snow should melt this week.

 

[Judy]

She could be heading into a molt. Not all Buff Orps lay all winter.How old is the mama?

I would recommend you remove the heat lamp and double check your ventilation. There is a great article on ventilation (not mine) linked in my sig line. You also might want to look into using a low watt light in the coop so as to make 14 hour days for them: I would have it turn on early in the AM, rather than turn off in the middle of the night. Good luck!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

[/URL]I am fairly new to raising chickens. I have five 4 month old pullets (buff American game cross) 1 mama hen (buff orp) and a Rooster. I know the pullets won't lay yet but the mama hen should be and she isn't. I have a red heat lamp on 24/7 and they are getting fed layer feed. Made the nesting boxes as well. They have a pretty big coop with a huge perch and pine mulch/shavings as the litter. Any ideas on how to get her to lay? Iowa is cold and we have our first snow but the buff orp should lay all winter (or so I read). Snow should melt this week.

I agree with Judy's advice above. The Buff Orp/game cross could turn out to be really social if they learn to associate petting with treats. Your rooster looks like a Dominique-very handsome.