[Shropshirelass]

Ok granted we've had a little snow & frost & it's a bit early in the year but maybe it's just me but the majority of my breeding hens are being buggers at starting to lay. I accept their rare breeds but their on layers pellets & oyster shell, in nice clean pens, some are still free ranging, all have good access to daylight & the cocks - not all are treading, some of my layers are laying - we're getting about 4-5 eggs off them a day & my ducks I'm getting 1 maybe 2 every few days out of 8 ducks, my calls also aren't laying, but I think their still in a strop after being penned up & not being allowed on the river. The only things that are laying well are my 2 geese. Maybe it's just me but am I doing something wrong or is it them or wrong time of the year still, yet I'm there seeing loads of other people with hatching eggs galore - Just a bit confused so ideas would be appreciated. (Their also all around 1.5-3 years old so theres not many old birds atm.)

[Marches Farmer]

How late did they moult last year?  Some of mine were very late and are only just getting going.  I don't keep birds over two years old.

[TonyG]

I was getting bothered at the lack of hens eggs till I went searching and found 5 dozen spread out over 4 different nesting sites they'd set up in various places, might be worthwhile having a look round.

[Shropshirelass]

Well my oldest birds are about 20 ex batts which I use as laying hens which have all started laying again after going into moult around sept-Nov time but all my orpingtons are pullets except 1 & my others I think are around 1, my legbars are also laying & all my ducks except my calls are coming up 2 & the calls are about 18months, some do nest in our barns but we only found 1 area they were nesting, my Pekins I think are due to start as he's treading well & they go back in throughout the day as if their going to sit but nothing & I'm also looking for lots of red combs which a few have.

[waterbuffalofarmer]

There is an old trick to encourage hens to lay and that is to place an egg in the nestbox and it should make them want to lay. I did this the other day and it really does work!

[Shropshirelass]

I have tried it in the past & we still often do so will try that (Fingers crossed).